what percentage of my income can be taken for child support? I'm now paying 70% and can't survive myself

Question

I pay 70% of my income to child support and can't even rent a house with what i have left.is there a legal limit that can be taken?

Answer 1

Get off your lazy butt and get a better paying job, you loser. McDonald's just isn't going to cut it.

Answer 2

Law in Texas says they can NOT take more then 50% of your income. There are the standard rates (as stated above) 1 = 20% etc. There is a minimum amount based on minimum wage so if you make less then that you will be responsible for that much. (ie if your child support is based on take home rate of $1000 per month and you have one child your child support would be $200. If you only make $500 take home then your child support does not change, it would still be $200 or roughly 40% of your take home. IF your income has changed + / - 10% you have the right to change or modify your child support.)

You will need to ask for a court hearing (motion to reduce) to get the amount lowered. Also remember in most states you are responsible for the childs insurance. There are guide lines for that as well.

Start reading and pull some stuff up for your states laws. It should be on the web (att generals office).

Hope all this helps.

Answer 3

My law, the court is supposed to look at your salary before taxes, then determine the minimum percentage, they will not factor in your monthly bills, they don’t care about that, you will have to learn to survive on what is left over. But for 1 child its 17%, 2 children 25%, 3 children 27%. The court will also take into consideration the lifestyle your children lead before you and the mother split. If your wife can’t afford the mortgage on her own that you live in with the child, the court will add the mortgage payment to child-support, if your child participated in a lot of after-school actives, attended private school, or so forth, you will continue to pay those expenses in addition to regular child support. But I do suggest that you go to court and petition a reduction based on your current income.

Answer 4

You would need to get copies of your pay stubs and go back to court to contest the payments for your kids. The support is suppose to be based on your earnings & living expenses so now you will have to prove what the amount should be. Be sure not to take those checks with overtime in them, because the courts look at all monies. They may ask for so many months or up to a year. Then there are those who ask for the employer to fill out the form showing the your salary. Check with your local courthouse for the direction on this precedure.

Answer 5

Absolutely. Look on your state's webpage and find the child support charts. These establish very definite guidelines as to the percentage that can be taken. It is usually around 20-21% of your take home pay. Why in the world are you paying so much? This is pretty much standard throughout the US but can very some from state to state.

Answer 6

You must have owed back child support. I believe its up to 25% in most states. But it might be more with a private attorney. It should not be 70%. You need to check with a lawyer to check the percentages for sure. Good luck.

Answer 7

I really feel for you. We pay a large amount in child support to so it is also hard for us to live so I know where you are coming from. I always thought they couldnt take more than 60% of your income. You need to research it on the net. Every state is different. You may need to get a lawyer. Best of luck & God bless. : )

Answer 8

the court should look at your income and figure out a rate that is fair. if you recently had an increase or decrease in pay your employer should contact the court and update them. or you might want to contact a lawyer or the court yourself and tell them you can't survive and produce copies of the bills you pay each month so they'll see you can't afford so much!

Answer 9

That really is to much. There is a limit on a percent that they can take. I could see if you had like 5 or 6 kids but really thats to much!

Answer 10

There are several "child support calculators" out there....google for them (oops...should have suggested you use Yahoo search, given the circumstances....lol)