Divorces can be messy for spouses, often involving hurt and stress from both the interpersonal conflict and the financial struggles. However, divorce is also messy for children, who may not understand why or how the divorce is happening and what might become of them. As children are generally unable to advocate for themselves in these negotiations, divorce can threaten their sense of safety and lead them to worry about what might happen next.
This is why the family court system in the United States generally, and more specifically in Arizona, works to protect and give rulings to benefit the well-being of the child above other matters. As such determining child support in Arizona will take into account factors of the income and earning capacity of both spouses and the financial needs and responsibility of raising and co-parenting a child.
However, determining child support may not be straightforward, depending on the details of the case. A skilled child support lawyer from Sullivan Shick PLC may be able to provide details on your case. Consider scheduling a consultation at (480) 605-4880, or call our Glendale location at (623) 915-0944.
How Does Child Support Work in Arizona?
Determining child support in Arizona may require a working understanding of Arizona’s payment models and other family law statutes. The income shares model is one of three possible child support models used in the United States, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. This model is based on what the child would have received for support had both parents remained married, in hopes of providing the same quality of care that would have been afforded them if both parents had remained together. This means that payments may vary depending on the assigned amount of parenting time.
For the Custodial Parent
The custodial parent, sometimes called the residential parent, is the parent who is spending the greater amount of time providing care for the child. Therefore, the custodial parent is generally the one receiving payments from the non-custodial parent. The process for the custodial parent is straightforward, as it is highly unlikely that the custodial parent will be required to pay child support. However, it is important to note that child support payments will generally not cover all of the child’s needs, as both parents are expected to financially support the child.
For the Non-Custodial Parent
The non-custodial parent, which is the parent who spends the lesser amount of time caretaking, is generally the one who must consider making payments to support the custodial parent. For determining child support amounts, the courts will either provide a figure in line with the income shares model or spouses will agree on amounts in a marriage settlement. Either way, the non-custodial parent will likely be expected to make regular payments to support the child’s needs.
What if Both Parents Share Custody and Parenting Time?
However, in many amicable divorces as well as some contested divorces, parenting time is shared equally between both spouses. Many may wonder when determining child support, whether payments are even necessary due to the equal split of parenting time. However, determining child support in court rarely leads to an exact split of parenting time, even if it comes close. Therefore, it is possible that child support payments would be zero, but it is highly unlikely.
For more details on determining child support in Arizona, consider speaking with an experienced family law attorney from Sullivan Shick PLC.
How is Child Support Calculated?
Determining child support is usually done with calculations based on the relative income of both parents, the standard cost for care of a child or children, and any relevant extraneous costs such as medical or education expenses. Once the financial needs of the child are established, taking into account what each parent would be spending on the child had they remained together, courts will then calculate the portion of the non-custodial parent’s gross income that will be payable.
While precise estimates of child support payments may be difficult to come by, many counties as well as the Arizona Judicial Branch offer child support calculators. These calculators may help with determining child support payments by handling the math and providing rough estimates based on income and financial needs. However, these estimates are not guaranteed to be accurate. A skilled family lawyer may be able to provide additional insight to complement the child support calculators.
What Can Child Support be Used to Cover?
Regardless of the size of the child support payment, many people will wonder what is allowed to be purchased with child support money. Child support money is different from spousal support in that there are more guidelines regarding purchases with child support money. These funds should be used to meet the needs and support the welfare of the child in question.
Generally, child support money can be used to cover many different expenses related to raising a child. This may include medical or dental costs, educational expenses, childcare for working parents, extracurricular activities, and many others. Generally, expenses that would benefit or improve the quality of life for the child may be covered by child support.
How Does Parenting Time Impact Determining Child Support?
Additionally, parenting time may affect determining child support, as the non-custodial parent may be paying more for care due to increased time being a caretaker. Suppose the custodial parent has full custody of the child. In that case, child support payments might be much higher as the non-custodial parent would not be contributing much financially on a daily basis. These daily expenses may have an impact on determining child support in Arizona.
If the parenting time is nearly equal, it may be that the non-custodial parent is also contributing significantly to the child’s financial needs. In these cases, determining child support may factor in these elements. If the amount that both parents are contributing on a regular basis is similar, the child support payments involved may not be as steep.
Lastly, these child support payments may not be permanently set. If either parent feels that the child support order is no longer
Contact an Arizona Divorce Lawyer Today
Determining child support and navigating payments during divorce can be a challenging burden to bear, especially when divorce settlements and negotiations are involved. Understanding what payments may be fair and necessary can help clarify the matter and may provide a degree of peace of mind. For more information on determining child support, consider speaking with a skilled Arizona child support lawyer from Sullivan Shick PLC. Schedule a consultation today by calling the office at (480) 719-2558.