The Purpose of Child Support
When a couple divorces, if there are
children born to the marriage, a parent’s first obligation is the support of
the child/ren. Usually this is done through child support. The purpose of child
support is to cover the necessities of the child/ren and even more.
Usually the court will issue an
order of support. If the obligating parent does not pay the amount issued in
the support order, another order may be issued to take the funds through wage
assignment. Enforcement may also be induced through attachment or levy on other
property owned by the non-paying parent. There are also other private agencies
that the custodial parent may contact to seek collection for child support.
Child support may also be modified
if there are changes in the life circumstances or income of the custodial
and/or the non-custodial parent. The modification must be submitted to the
court for approval.
Examples of the types of changes
that support temporary modification orders are:
- a child’s medical emergency
- the payer’s temporary inability to pay (for instance,
because of illness or an additional financial burden such as a medical
emergency or job loss), or
- temporary financial or medical hardship on the part of
the recipient parent.
A permanent modification may be
awarded if:
- either parent remarries and the new spouse’s income
increases the household income significantly
- child support laws change
- either parent changes jobs
- the cost of living increases
- either parent becomes disabled, or
- the child’s needs change significantly.
A permanent modification of a child
support order will remain in effect until support is no longer required or the
order is modified at a later time.
