Do I have to pay child support even if I have 50% custody of my child?

Question

Let me first say we were nevered married, and therefore never divorced. It happened a little after high school and neither really knew what was going on. I put myself on child support because I joined the military, and knew I wasn't going to be around that much. However, I am moving back home and will around a lot more having my child with me 50% if not more of the time. So it doesn't seem fair to me that I would still have to pay child support.

Okay, obviously some people aren't understanding what I'm saying. Ofcourse I want to do everything for my child!!! However, if I'm doing everything possible for my child (i.e paying for everything) then why do I have to pay child support on top of that. Especially if the mother is using it for her own personal use. Just to set the record straight the court ordered a 50% custody split. SO I HAVE 50% CUSTODY!!! Now because I am in the military and was moving away we thought it would be best that she resides with the mother for the majority of the time. BUT!!! I am coming back home TO LIVE!!! So I will be taking care of her the majority of the time especially financially!! SO DO I HAVE TO STILL PAY CHILD SUPPORT!!!!!

Answer 1

yes. they will add both incomes then get a gross income
EXAMPLE
Dad- $75000 1/2 time
Mom $25000 1/2 time

100k gross
21,000 total
dad 75% or
15000 a year
or 1200/ month
then take into account amount of time and reduce 30%
about 700 a month!

Answer 2

First of all you have to have a court order to get 50% custody of the child. The fact that you were never married/divorced doesn't even enter into it. Divorce and child support/custody are two different things. Once you get the court order giving you 50% custody you will then work out any child support payments, but keep in mind the current custodial parent has the right to fight you in court over the custody arrangements and until it is all settled you ARE liable for support.

Answer 3

if the kid(s) are stationary with you then no, and they have to choose 1 parent where the kids is stationary, not just getting for season or summer where they actually live, this is the custodial parent, and the other parent normally have joint custody where he gets a lot of visit time, yes if you are not the custodial parent you do have to pay child support, by law. and by right. because everything you do for this child or children outside of the normal living standards are considered gifts which are seperate from child support, the courts looks at it as if you chose to leave the environment of the child then by right you chose to put them in a single parent home and is entitled to pay child support. Support is the key, support of not being in the normal home setting for the child. like rent, clothes, activities, etc. just pay the support or you will be in jail fast.

Answer 4

That depends. My ex spouse and I agreed to split everything 50/50....physical and legal custoday, and all expenses. As such, no one pays child support. I pay for his expense when he is with me, my ex pays when my son is with him, and major expenses (tuition, etc.) is split 50/50.

Works for us, but it takes a LOT of coordination, a lot of communication and you have to really still be in each others lives.

It has been worth it though. Our son is almost 14, it has been this way since he was 2, and he is very well adjusted, knows he is loved, is a straight A student at a top school, well behaved, and not a lick of trouble.

Answer 5

Child support is determined by a formula based on both person's income.
First log on to "Father's Rights" a whole bunch of sites are set up to educate and support fathers. The court system is NOT! Read and lean. Your state may even have a active father's organization where you can read blogs of other dad's in similar situations.
Next,Log onto your state's supreme court and read up on "modifying child support" procedure and paper work.
Remember our court system is not necessarily "justice" but all too often the person who is the most prepared!!! Women can get nasty and you need to protect your child/rens rights to be with their dad!! Good luck.

Answer 6

Actually, you have got your objective REVERSE..

You need to understand that what you are doing and will be doing is for the benefit of your child. So a responsible parent will do what ever it takes to make sure that the child is properly cared for and has enough in his/her growing years.

To consider child support and so forth and what to pay for.. should not be based on your former partner. If that is the case, you are just doing "tit for tat" and ultimately your child is the one who is affected. So the bestthing to do is do what ever you can for the child to your best ability.

take care..

Answer 7

You can look up your states child support enforcement site online and use their guidelines and forms to see what you should pay. The mother can agree not to seek support if she is so inclined. Most states have a special worksheet to calculate support for these situations.

Answer 8

You need to ask your lawyer, if you don't have one then you should call one. In most cases you don't have to, which is the way it should be. If you keep your child 50% if the time.

Answer 9

Only if the divorce decree says you must.

Answer 10

If you make more money than your spouse you might. Depends on your divorce settlement.