ESTIMATING MONTHLY CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS
The custodial parent of a child, should expect the other parent to be ordered to pay a certain amount of child support every month. The online “child support calculator” allows the custodial parent to estimate what the payments will be.
In order to get a child support estimation, the custodial parent will need financial documentation. This should include both parents’ monthly income, any tax benefits either parent receives and the amount of debt the former couple is responsible for paying. There are other factors that could have an impact on the monthly child support payments, such as how much time the child spends with each parent.
However, that the child support calculator can only estimate child support. Once the parent formerly requests child support, the actual amount he or she may receive could be vastly different that what the calculator estimated. This is because the judge could incorporate additional costs into the calculation, especially if the child has special medical needs or if the parents have agreed to private school.
Once a child support order is in place, the noncustodial parent is responsible for making timely payments to help with the costs of raising a child. While there are many noncustodial parents who follow the order and make the payments, others try to dodge their financial responsibilities. If that happens to be the case, a judge can help the custodial parent get the child support he or she is owed.
