Calculating Child Support in Illinois

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in DuPage County divorce lawyer

Many people throughout the country have child support obligations. However, many people do not appreciate the seriousness of paying their child support in a timely manner. If you fail to pay child support and neglect to show up at what is called “a hearing to show cause” for failure to pay, you can be found in civil contempt and spend time in jail.

One of the most important aspects of child support is maintaining an amount that complies with the law. Furthermore, depending on which state’s laws apply, fluctuations in both the custodial and non-custodial parent’s income can affect the amount of child support obligation. Therefore, it is very important to seek legal advice concerning child support obligations because failing to pay can land you in jail.

Three Different Methods The Law Employs to Calculate Child Support

 In order to have a firm grasp of child support obligations, it is important to know how it is calculated. Calculating child support differs depending generally on where the custodial parent resides. The following are three models of child support guidelines currently in use throughout the United States:

The Percentage Of Obligor Income Model

Illinois uses the percentage of income model. The percentage of income model sets support as a percentage of only the noncustodial parent's income while the custodial parent's income is not considered. This model also has two variations: (1) the flat percentage model; and (2) the varying percentage model.

Income Shares Model

The income shares model is based on the concept that the child should receive the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents continued to live together. This is generally calculated through pooling the income of both parents for the benefit of all household members, including any children.

The Melson Formula

The Melson Formula is the most complicated version of the income shares model. It incorporates several public policy judgments designed to insure that each parent's basic needs are met along with the children's needs.

What to Do If You Have a Child Support Question

If you have children and are currently paying child support, consider contacting an experienced Aurora family law attorney. Calculating child support is a difficult process. The initial calculation of child support must have the correct deductions and can change depending on both your and the custodial parent’s circumstances. Illinois child custody laws can be confusing to apply to everyday life.