Paige Elliott , P.C.

The adoption of the child support guidelines in 1993 significantly altered the method by which child support obligations are determined. The guidelines assume that both parents should continue sharing the financial obligations of the child(ren) despite the divorce. With a few exceptions, the support amount calculated by applying the guidelines constitutes a rebuttable presumption of accuracy. This means that the amount determined by using the guidelines is assumed to be the correct child support obligation unless one of the parties argues that an exception to the guidelines applies. Basically, we will need the monthly gross income of you and your spouse, health insurance cost(s) and child care expenses in order to calculate an estimate of what child support would likely be in your case. If the combined gross monthly income of you and your spouse exceeds $10,000, the guidelines do not apply; the appropriate amount of child support is then within the discretion of the judge based on various factors including the expenses and needs of the child(ren).