Child Support Attorney Harwood Heights, IL
A Knowledgeable Lawyer in Harwood Heights, IL Can Guide You Through Child Support Laws
Regardless of whether you are a mother or a father, if you are not the primary custodial parent, you will likely be required by an Illinois family court to make recurring child support payments. This is based on the duty that all parents have: to support their children financially. Because it is assumed that the custodial parent is fulfilling this obligation by virtue of having a majority of parenting time, the onus to make actual child support payments is on the other parent.
Understanding how we determine the amount of child support can be complicated. At the law offices of Gordon & Perlut, LLC, Divorce and Family Law Attorneys, our Harwood Heights child support lawyers can guide you through everything you need to know, including modifying your court order at a later date. Call our legal team today to get started.
Allocation of Parental Responsibilities and Child Custody in Harwood Heights: Income Shares Model Overview
The state of Illinois relies on the “income shares model” to determine the value of a child support obligation. The income shares model considers both parents’ incomes in determining a child support amount, and then each parent is responsible for support in an amount that is proportional to their income. For example:
Suppose that together, parents earn a total of $4,000 in net income per month, with the primary residential parent earning $1,500 (37.5 percent), and the “noncustodial” parent earning $2,500 (62.5 percent). Based on Illinois child support guidelines and other factors, the court determines that the child deserves roughly $800 per month in support. It will be assumed that the “custodial” parent is already contributing their portion of support by virtue of having the child; therefore, the “non-custodial” parent will be liable for 62.5 percent of the $800, or $500 per month.
Other Factors a Court Considers When Issuing a Determination About Child Support
Parents’ incomes and the number of children are not the only factors that will be considered when a court is making a determination about child support. Recognizing that each family’s and child’s needs are different, the court may also consider:
- The financial resources of each parent;
- The needs of the child;
- The child’s educational and healthcare needs;
- The standard of living that the child would have experienced but for divorce; and
- Any other factors the court finds relevant.
Modification of a Child Support Order
It is critical that a parent who is ordered by the court to pay child support in Harwood Heights recognizes that adhering to the support order is not optional, but mandatory; if the individual fails to make child support payments, there can be serious consequences, including garnishment of wages and even jail time.
If modification of a support order is necessary due to a change in circumstances, a petition with the court may be filed. Our law firm can assist you in doing this effectively.
Call Our Harwood Heights Child Support Lawyers Today
To learn more about child support obligations in Harwood Heights and how a support obligation is issued or modified, please call our experienced Harwood Heights child support lawyers today for a consultation. We work hard for you and have secured the case results you’d expect from a qualified legal professional.