Indianapolis Child Support Attorneys
Child Support Payments & Child Support Order Modification
Child support often is one of the most hotly debated issues in divorce and paternity actions in Indiana. Understanding the rules behind a child support calculation can help parents reach an agreement on the amount of child support that should be paid under the circumstances.
Parents have a legal duty to support their children, and Indiana has adopted state-wide Child Support Guidelines (“Guidelines”) to establish a parent’s level of support. A parent has a duty to support his child until the child is nineteen (19) years old, or is emancipated, whichever comes first.
Indiana Child Support Guidelines
The Guidelines use an “income shares model” that is designed to provide a child with the same proportion of parental income that he or she would have received if the parents had remained living together. Child support in Indiana is determined by considering the relative percentage of each parent’s gross income and the number and ages of children in a parent’s household. Other factors, such as work-related childcare expenses and health insurance premiums for children, also are considered.
For purposes of the Guidelines, “gross income” is construed broadly, and generally consists of all income, including salaries, wages, commissions, bonuses, overtime, dividends, severance pay, pension, interest, trust income, annuities, capital gains, social security benefit, workmen’s compensation benefits, unemployment compensation, disability, gifts, prizes, alimony and maintenance from prior marriages.
In addition to it, parents should consider expenses such as activities, sports and equipment, lessons, camp, tutoring, prom expenses, graduations expenses, automobile expenses and the like. Such expenses typically fall outside of a parent’s basic support obligation.
A court in Indiana also may order a parent to pay a reasonable amount for a child’s post-secondary education expenses. In making an order for education expenses, a court will consider the child’s aptitude for higher education, the child’s ability to contribute to the expenses, and the parents’ ability to contribute. The Court may require the child to maintain a specific grade point average to receive continued educational support from his parents.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation about child support in Central Indiana!
The divorce and family law, attorneys at Broyles Kight & Ricafort, P.C. have represented parents seeking to establish child support orders, enforce child support orders, and modify child support orders because of a change in financial circumstances. Regardless of the circumstance, we are prepared to guide you through the laws and regulations governing the support of a child in Indiana. To schedule a consultation with one of BKR’s experienced family law attorneys in Indianapolis, Indiana, call 317-571-3601.
Our attorneys provide legal advice and representation to clients throughout Indiana, including: Marion County (Indianapolis,); Johnson County (Greenwood, Franklin); Hamilton County (Carmel, Noblesville); Boone County (Lebanon, Zionsville); Hendricks County (Danville, Avon); Madison County (Anderson); and Wayne County (Richmond).