In most divorce proceedings, both parents care deeply for the children and want to make decisions that are in the kids’ best interests. At the same time, however, there is always a fear that the other parent will extort this emotion and force you to pay more for the children than is fair.

It is always best for the children if both parents contribute equitably. At Buffalo Grove Law Offices, our Arlington Heights child support lawyer protects the interests of parents, working for child support agreements that are fair to both parents and in the best interests of the children.

How The Court Determines Support Amounts

The court may order either or both parents owing a duty of support to a child of the marriage to pay an amount reasonable and necessary for his or her support, without regard to marital misconduct. The duty of support owed to a child includes the obligation to provide for the reasonable and necessary physical, mental and emotional health needs of the child. For purposes of determining child support here, the term “child” shall include any child under age 18 and any child under age 19 who is still attending high school.

There are guidelines set forth by the state of Illinois when it comes to paying child support. In general, the court will order a certain percentage of the supporting party’s net income that should go toward payments. However, the court may deviate from these percentages in an effort to reflect the best interests of the child. We can help protect your interests when it comes to support determinations while always keeping the well-being of your child in mind.

CHILD SUPPORT BELOW THE GUIDELINES

The judgment ordered a downward deviation of child support from $1,433 per month to $1,000 in In re Marriage of Berberet, 2012 Il App (4th) 110749. The court found that, if guideline support were applied, the mother’s net income would exceed the father’s by nearly $4,000. She would have a net monthly income of $7,035, and he would have a net monthly income of $3,046. The trial court found that the father would experience extreme financial constraint if he were required to pay the guidelines and that his ability to participate in social, curricular, extracurricular or any recreational activities with the children would be severely affected, which was not in the best interest of the children. The appellate court upheld the deviation ruling that the trial court followed all of the appropriate statutory guidelines for deviating downward.

Please visit the Spousal Maintenance page of this website to read the article, “The Office of Child Support Enforcement does not collect spousal support unless a child support obligation is also being processed.”

Please visit the Family Law Articles page of this website to read the article, “Dead Beat Dad Enters a General Appearance.”

Please visit the Family Law Articles page of this website to read the article, “The Enforcement of Child Support Provisions in Foreign Divorce Decrees.”

Please visit the Family Law Articles page of this website to read the article, “Sperm Donor Can Keep it in His Pocket.”