How Much Child Support Will I Get In A Divorce?
The decision to get a divorce is never an easy one to make. The choice can become even more complex when minor children are involved. A parent who is considering leaving their spouse should research how much child support they will get in the divorce prior to making their final decision.
Knowing how much child support one will receive in North Carolina can potentially influence the moves that are made for your future. The knowledge of how much child support is going to be awarded can dramatically impact your choices, especially if your soon-to-be former spouse was the primary earner in the relationship.
Custody of the Children
Who currently has custody of the children involved in the child custody case plays a large role in determining how much child support is ultimately received. Custody of the children is typically shared (also known as joint) with each parent having the children 123 nights during the year.
If custody is not shared and only one parent has sole custody – meaning the children are with one parent 243 nights during the year – that can drastically impact how much child support is paid. Having a general idea of who will retain custody of the children will help you to determine who receives child support and how much money will be paid.
Income of Both Parents
The income of both parents is used to calculate child support in North Carolina rather than simply using the gross income of one parent. The gross adjusted income of both parents including tips, self-employment income, ownership interest in any business, rental property income, workers’ comp benefits, pension or retirement accounts, gifts, alimony, and income from any other sources is taken into consideration.
All potential sources of income are used when determining how much child support will be awarded. In North Carolina, no source of income is overlooked and everything is accounted for when it comes to determining child support amounts.
Calculating Child Support
Once you have established who has majority custody and the income of both parents, you can calculate child support. North Carolina uses a worksheet to determine how much child support is paid by each parent.
A person making $2,000.00 per month would pay an estimated $572.00 per month in child support according to North Carolina’s online calculator. This amount includes a $372.00 basic child support amount and a $200.00 adjustment for conditions where one parent has sole custody.
The amount could change depending on the income of the noncustodial parent, the number of children involved, and other adjustments the state might make.
Other Expenses
It is possible to have other expenses taken into consideration when having your child support calculated. These expenses could include medical treatment or healthcare-related costs that are not covered by health insurance, educational expenses, travel expenses, and other costs that are not otherwise accounted for or covered.
These expenses can be included in the court’s child support calculations to ensure that your child has all of their needs met by both parents. Be prepared to provide evidence of extra expenses that are school-related, travel-related, or not covered by health insurance.
When to Request a Modification
There are times when the amount of child support calculated does not adequately meet the needs of your child or accurately reflect the noncustodial parent’s ability to pay. When this happens you can request a modification of child support.
This process will review both parents’ income and the children included in the case and adjust child support accordingly. In some situations, the child support amount is increased while in others it is decreased based upon all factors under consideration.
Our Beaufort Child Custody Lawyers Can Help
If you are considering getting a divorce and have one or more minor children, it is important that you talk to a qualified attorney before proceeding. The team at Schulz Stephenson Law can advise you regarding how much child support you can expect to receive or let you know how much child support you will be expected to pay.
Divorcing and negotiating custody without the help of an attorney could lead to an unpleasant surprise when child support is awarded. Contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation so that we can help with your child custody case!