What is Child Support?
In Illinois, Child Support is the amount of money the non-custodial parent pays to help raise their children after a separation or divorce. At Watson Law, we’ll help you fight for your rights and your children throughout your divorce and/or separation. Child Support is and can be difficult to determine if you have not hired legal counsel, which could result in unfavorable and inequitable results.
Child Support is intended to help the children continue or maintain a consistent standard of living which covers:
- Food
- Clothing
- Shelter
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Premiums
In addition to base child support, courts will typically order additional percentage responsibility for expenses that arise by:
- Uncovered Medical
- Extracurricular Activities
- School Expenses
- Education
- Medical Care
- Transportation
- Other Activities
How is Child Support Calculated?
In Illinois, Child Support is calculated by utilizing a dual income formula. Illinois adopted this formula in 2016. That means, in order to determine child support in the state of Illinois, the first step is to determine both parties’ net income. We apply the net income to schedule an over or under 146 visitation nights to determine the non-primary parent’s obligations. We then offset that number by health insurance premiums and potentially multi-family deductions. This can be a tricky and complicated process if not done correctly, it can result in a gross and accurate obligation.
Other factors of Child Support:
- Child Support obligations typically end when the child turns 18 (Unless a child is 19 and still in school or has a college support order or is a disabled adult child)
- Child Support may end if the child becomes emancipated (If the child gets married, joins the military, gets a job, or moves out on their own.)
How can Watson Law help you with Child Support?
Here at Watson Law, we only focus on Family Law practices and have decades of experience and winning cases dealing with Child Support and Parenting Plans. We’ll defend your rights and prepare you throughout your case of determining parenting time and child support. Schedule an Appointment today to get started.
