Suisman Shaprio | Attorneys At Law
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Answers to important child support questions

On Behalf of | Jan 17, 2020 | Family Law

As a singular event, divorce itself paints a tale of diversity. When you add the determination of child support and dealing with its aftermath, the stress can be two-fold.

In some cases, child support payments come as regular as a daily cup of coffee, but most often, issues surround child support payments. 

Whether child support is fully supported or not, questions arise because parents are looking for answers. 

Child support questions and answers

  1. How are child support payments determined?  
  • While the court assigns child custody by determining the child’s best interests, child custody is decided by using an algorithm that considers you and your ex’s monthly income, child support obligations and the number of children you and your ex are supporting.
  • Am I expected to pay taxes on income received from support payments?
    • This question comes with good news. The IRS cannot tax any received support payments because they are not considered gross annual income. Also, you can only claim a child tax exemption (child tax credit) if your gross income pays for 50% or more of the child’s total support needs.
  • What if the child support I receive isn’t enough?
    • Whether it be a medical issue, special education or another instance, to have a chance of receiving more child support, you must be able to prove to the court that your child’s needs have increased.
  • Will my child support payments cease if my ex loses their job?
    • Legal terms state that your ex is required to continue paying support payments, but if that becomes impossible for them to accomplish, they can apply for a child support modification. This modification sets the terms of their payments to an amount more in line with what they can pay in their current financial state. To be approved for this support payment adjustment, the ex must be able to prove, in the eyes of the court, that they are experiencing intense financial hardships.

    A couple more child support answers

    In most states, including Connecticut, the cutoff date for child support payments is when the supported child turns 18 years old

    Lastly, you and your ex can determine child support payments on your own if the agreed-upon amount is equal to or greater than the amount determined by your state’s child support calculator. The amount you and your ex agree upon can not be seen as a hardship for the child.

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