Connecticut Child Support Lawyer

What Does Child Support Cover in CT?

When parents are not married, whether they have been divorced or were never married in the first place, one of them normally is legally responsible to make payments of financial support to the other. Child support is paid by the non-custodial parent for purposes of making a financial contribution to the child's needs. This way, the parent who has child custody is not forced to shoulder the full burden of raising the child.

As an experienced family law firm, we can help you work through it by doing the following:

• Calculating child support. Since Connecticut has mandatory support guidelines, we can provide an estimate of the amount that you would need to pay or receive.
• Legally enforcing payment. If your spouse is not paying the court-ordered support, we can help you file a motion that would allow you to obtain payment through wage garnishment.
• Modifying the terms. If you lose your job or have another major life change, we can help you modify the terms of your child support order.

To get assistance with your child support matter, please contact Happy Even After Family Law for a consultation. We have an award-winning legal team that has been named among the best in Connecticut by the Connecticut Law Tribune, the National Association of Family Lawyers, & Super Lawyers®.

How is Child Support Determined Connecticut?

The state has adopted the Child Support Guidelines to determine the appropriate level of support and each parent's financial responsibility for medical and child care expenses. Based on a number of different economic factors, the guidelines produce a determination of how much the non-custodial parent should be ordered to pay. Either the father or the mother may be ordered to pay child support.

Connecticut family courts use guidelines created by the state to determine how much child support you will receive or pay. First, the court will look at the combined net weekly income of both parents. It then uses this amount to decide what percentage of that total income should be used to help support your children, known as the basic child support obligation.

After determining the combined total net income of both parents, the court will look at how much the parent who will pay child support contributes to that number and the basic child support obligation to determine how much they are expected to contribute.

When Does the Responsibility to Pay Child Support Terminate?

The age of majority in Connecticut is eighteen. Parents are responsible for child support, however, until a child turns nineteen or graduates from high school, whichever event occurs first. The court may also order child support for a disabled child until the child attains the age of twenty-one, in the event that the child is residing with one parent and is depending on that parent for financial support.

Additionally, you will most likely be required to continue paying child support even if you do not visit or see the child, and the child’s other parent gets remarried or lives with someone else.

Can Parents Agree to Pay or Receive a Different Child Support Amount?

Yes. The court allows parties to deviate from the child support guidelines for various reasons such as shared parenting time, extraordinary income, or extraordinary child expenses. It is important to consult with an experienced divorce attorney to determine whether a deviation is appropriate.

Are There Any Tax Implications on Child Support in Connecticut?

For tax purposes, child support is neither deductible by the person paying it, nor taxable income to the person receiving it. Therefore, it is important to take this into account when negotiating the terms of child support during a divorce.

Commonly Asked Questions About Child Support

• What is child support under Connecticut family law?
• How is child support determined in Connecticut?
• When does the responsibility to pay child support terminate?
• Can parents agree to a pay or receive a different child support amount?
• Are there any tax implications on child support in Connecticut?

Are you looking for a child support lawyer to handle your case? Call our firm now to find out how we can help you take care of your family law matter.