How Is Child Support Calculated?

Though every newlywed couple dreams of a lifetime together, divorce is unfortunately a fact of life for many people. Recent statistics show that the divorce rate for first marriages range between 40-50%, and that the divorce rate for second marriages can be even higher. When children are involved, the divorce process often becomes more challenging and stressful. Even though they do not share the same household anymore, most couples will share the responsibilities of raising and supporting their children. This week, O'Donnell Law Center examines the financial aspect of this shared responsibility. An Overview Of Child Support Child support flows from a court or administrative order that allocates between the parents the costs associated with raising children in separate households. Suppose, for example, that post-divorce, the children will live with the mother during the week and with the father on weekends (or perhaps every other weekend). Since the mother ha...