Child Support Calculation in Wagoner County doesn’t have to be so difficult. With that said sometimes problems make it harder than it needs to be. One of the most common questions we receive as Family Attorneys in Wagoner is: How does someone calculate child support? They also ask if child support can be modified. Well, this begins under Title 43 §118-120. Further, these statutes help us define the main elements the law uses to make child support calculation. These are:
– The person who has less visitation (“the Obligor”)
– The person who is receiving the child support payment (“the Obligee”)
– Gross Monthly Income of both parties
– Statutory Adjustments for each party’s income (Disability, Personal Injury claims)
– Monthly health insurance payments paid by either party
– Other continuing healthcare costs for children beyond the regular monthly insurance payment
– Work and educational expenses for children of the parties
– Shared parenting credit (aka: the number of overnight visitations/week for each party)
While approximately 30,000 single-mothers in Oklahoma receive child support, this is a mere 50% of households that are eligible to receive it. Therefore, it is important for single-parent head of households to realize that the law sees child support money as belonging to the child. Thus, the child has a right to have the custodial parent receive and use the money as a guardian for the minor child.
Child Support Calculation
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Amount of Support for Child
The state of Oklahoma again, considers a list of things before coming up
with a final child support calculation. These are under §118. They include:
– How many children live in the home (including step-family members)
– Housing expenses
– Food expenses
– Transportation expenses (especially those involving visitation for the child)
– Public education expenses (school supplies, etc.)
– Child’s clothing expenses
– Basic entertainment or extracurricular activities for the child
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Obligation of Each Parent
Once the amount of money the child needs is determined, the courts will then consider another set of factors under the equitable division doctrine. As a result, this means the court tries to divide the expenses fairly not necessarily 50/50 between the parents. The factors the court uses in this is:
– Gross income of the parents
– Percentage of contribution each parent has to the gross income.
This essentially attempts to divide the child support calculation in a proportional manner. For example, if the gross income is $100,000 but one parent makes $70,000 and the other parent makes $30,000, then the courts will generally make the parent earning the $70,000 pay 70% of the expenses. Further, you can find forms on the Oklahoma DHS website to help you approximate the amount of child support you may pay or receive.
CHILD PREFERENCE IN DIVORCE AND CUSTODY EXPLAINED HERE.
Child Support Attorneys Near You
Our child support attorneys understand that filling out child support forms and going through the red tape alone can be frustrating and difficult. So, if you need help with your child support calculation and filing, let us know. Moreover, your first consultation is free. Our attorneys have the experience and also the skill to help simplify this process for you. Call us today.
