Child support: What you need to know

Child support, alongside child custody, is often a heated topic among divorcing couples. According to divorce lawyer Shane Kersh, child support is usually given by the non-custodial parent. Thus, it is important for former spouses to understand what is expected of them when it comes to the child support arrangement as mandated by the court.

If you are contemplating filing or going through a divorce, here are some child support considerations and guidelines that you need to be familiar with.

Unless your child has special needs such as medical issues, child support often lasts until the child is no longer a minor. But there are cases where child support is halted. Examples of these include your child becoming an active member of the military through enlistment, if parental rights are terminated, or if your minor child is emancipated by a court, declaring them an adult due to their capacity to sustain themselves financially.

Child support is not an issue of marriage. A parent’s obligation to support their child remains regardless if the parents were married or not. Determining the legality of one’s parenthood can come from a paternity test for males, or if parents have welcomed the child into their home in the form of adoption. As for stepparents, they are not legally liable for paying child support for children that are not theirs unless they have legally adopted them.

How much is given as child support is usually calculated by the court, depending on the parent’s income and expenses. According to Shane Kersh, the state has to be fair in coming up with the amount in order to avoid overburdening the non-custodial parent and their ability to pay child support.

Shane Kersh and Kersh Law Firm aim to help people who are going through tough times because of divorce. Aside from helping clients reach the best agreement with the opposing party, Atty. Kersh also offers assistance in issues like order modification, child support, Texas marital property, mediation, and CPS defense. For more information on Mr. Kersh and Kersh Law Firm, visit this page.