When children are involved in some kind of family litigation, like a divorce or paternity, the courts will often address the issue of child support by deciding what is to be paid. Child support is often a fairly straightforward payment one spouse must make to the other following the conclusion of a divorce or paternity. Both parties must meet their legal obligation to support the child, which remains unchanged no matter where the couple lives.
However, sometimes a judge may order a different parent to pay child support if one of them is more able to pay than the other. For example, if the non-custodial parent has a higher earning income, they may have more ability to pay than the custodial parent. Conversely, if the non-custodial parent is substantially poorer, they may be unable to make the required payments. In this situation, the judge may require the non-custodial parent to find a new job or provide additional money for an intended start up of a business. The judge may also order certain payments to be made based on the income level of both parents.
Often, the Missouri Family Code specifies the types of circumstances under which payments can be made. For example, in cases where there is a difference of a significant amount of time between the parents, custody is frequently awarded to the mother. Until the court decides otherwise, the Missouri child support attorneys are the only ones who can advise the parents as to how much time is available. However, in some cases, the Missouri judges may take into consideration the income level of both parents when determining custody. For example, in a case where a father has a substantial overtime income, but has to pay child maintenance because of his wife, he might be given sole custody. The court generally takes into account what is in the best interest of the children when deciding who gets custody and how much to pay.
As mentioned above, the rules governing paying child support in St. Louis are different from those in other states. There are several factors that are considered by the courts, including the income of the custodial parent, length of the marriage, standard of living expenses of each parent, etc. Therefore, one must seek the advice of an experienced St. Louis child support attorney if this is the situation. He or she will know what guidelines are required in your state, as well as the advice on how to change those guidelines to your advantage. He or she will also know which forms of payment will be more beneficial to you. You may also check their website at www.stlouisdivorcelawyers.net/child-support/ to learn more about rules governing paying child support.
There are many things a parent should consider before paying child support in Missouri. For example, there are certain taxes that need to be paid. Furthermore, child support attorneys in Missouri can inform parents about their rights to garnishments and property liens. There are many ways to reduce or eliminate child support payments, including agreeing to decrease the visitation time with the child or agreeing not to pay for the support until your payments have been completely eliminated. However, if the custodial parent does not agree to these modifications, they can go to court to force these payments.
The most important thing to remember when considering child support in Missouri is that the amount you pay is based upon your Gross Income. The calculation of your Gross Income is determined by taking your monthly income and adding your state and federal taxes, any applicable child support awards, any assets owned by the custodial parent, and any other miscellaneous deductions. Also remember that in addition to your gross income, your filing status (married or not married), the number of adults in your home, and the number of children you have will affect your child support payments. Your Missouri child support attorney can explain all of these options to you and advise you on how to make the best decision for your individual situation. In short, being informed about your legal options can help you to make the best decisions for your family.