Child support and custody are two of the most challenging aspects of divorce for parents to navigate. These issues can be especially challenging when you and your spouse cannot agree on custody arrangements for your child. While both child support and custody are somewhat separate factors in a divorce, they are usually negotiated at the same time. Here’s what you should know about child support and custody during a divorce.
What is Child Support?
Child support is a monthly payment from one parent to the other parent to help cover a child’s living expenses. These costs could be for a child’s daycare, food, clothing, healthcare, or other related expenses. Child support is usually paid until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes later. If there are any special needs or disabilities of the child, child support may have to be paid beyond the age of 18. This is especially true if the child is attending college. The court will often order that child support payments continue until the end of the semester, even if the child graduates from college before that time.
Who Gets Custody of the Children?
Arizona has physical and legal custody of children. This means parents can have joint physical and legal custody or one parent may have sole physical custody while both parents share legal custody. One parent may have legal custody while both parents share physical custody or one parent may have sole physical and legal custody. There are many factors that go into determining who gets custody and what kind of custody each parent gets.
How Is Child Support Determined?
Usually, there are several factors that determine the amount of child support payment. First, the living costs of the parent who has the child the majority of the time will be considered. Then, the other parent’s costs will be considered. Finally, a percentage of the supporting parent’s income will be taken into consideration.
Important Things to Know About Child Support During a Divorce
Child support is not a gift. It is a legal obligation that must be paid in the same way as other debts such as mortgage or credit card payments. Child support can be taken from a parent’s paycheck and sent straight to the other parent.
A parent who does not receive child support payments through the court must file a legal motion and go to court. If a parent is behind on child support payments and receives a court order, they could be sent to jail without any warning and without getting a trial or even having an attorney present.
If the child has special needs, those expenses can be factored into the child support calculation. Medical expenses that aren’t covered by insurance, such as a child’s braces or prescription glasses, may also be factored in.
The Importance of an Attorney During Divorce
It is important to note that child support and custody issues are highly complicated. You should always speak with a divorce lawyer to help navigate these issues and make sure you are getting the best possible outcome. Child support and custody can be two of the most challenging aspects of divorce for parents to navigate. Experienced divorce lawyers can help make these negotiations go as smoothly as possible, helping you and your spouse to reach a fair agreement.
A divorce is a traumatic event that affects everyone involved. However, parents struggle the most with the transition to a new life once their marriage ends. How will you and your children cope with this life-changing event?
