A little clueless about the 2 subjects...are they the same thing ?
2007-11-28 03:57:50 · 7 answers · asked by mj23 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
no child support is for supporting children and alimony is for supporting the ex spouse
2007-11-28 04:00:43 · answer #1 · answered by qb 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not the same thing. Child support is money that is paid by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent (who the child lives with). It is meant to cover the general expenses of the child like housing, food, clothing. However; it can generally be spent in any way fit by the custodial parent. Child support is almost always awarded, and in most cases continues until the child reaches the age of 18.
Alimony is "spouse support". Depending on the state in which you live, there are several requirements before it is awarded. The first consideration is the length of the marriage. The longer the marriage, the more likely the chance alimony will be awarded. As a rule of thumb, most courts won't award alimony on marriages under 7 years. The length of the marriage may also affect the amount of alimony. Other factors may include the reason for the break-up, the wife's ability to create her own income, whether or not she was a full-time wife over the course of the marriage. The length of time someone is required to pay alimony also varies from state to state. Most alimony ceases when the woman re-marries. In other cases it is for a fixed period of years. The amount of alimony is determined by the woman's standard of living. The idea is to let her maintain the level she is accustomed to living.
Good luck.
2007-11-28 04:12:16 · answer #2 · answered by Jack 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The other answer is right..
Child support is just that.. a parents share of the costs of supporting a minor child. If one parent has custody (full or part time) the other parent legally shares in the cost of raising the child.
Alimony is support for an ex spouse -- it has nothing to do with whether or not there are children of the marriage. It is usally to support the non-earner until that person can earn money themselves... for long marriages it may be until retirement.
2007-11-28 04:06:55 · answer #3 · answered by Attorney 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Alimony is usually only paid for a spouse that has no job and, usually has been a homemaker since the marriage began. Child support is ordered to support the children after divorce. It is paid until the children are 18 or emancipated. Some States continue payment if the child goes to college. Alimony is not usually paid for that long a period of time.
2007-11-28 04:06:19 · answer #4 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Its quite simple.
Child support (at least in Ohio) is where the courts look at the income level of both parents. So if a couple makes a combined income of $50,000 the court has a table that says that each child requires a certain % of income. Let's say it is 10% or $5,000 per year. That is $416 per month. If the father makes 80% of the income, he pays 80% of the child support or $333 per month. The mother is supposed to use this money to support the kids for food, clothing, etc.
Alimony is typically used when one spouse does not work, typically because they raised children in the marriage. The husband usually pays a certain percentage of his income to his ex-wife so that she can afford to live. Typically this is used for 24 months or so until the ex-wife gets a job so that she can support herself.
2007-11-28 04:09:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
child support is money that goes to the child until he reaches 18. Alimony is "spousal support" and is granted if the couple was married for atleast 10 years (in CA)
2007-11-28 04:05:19 · answer #6 · answered by super1 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
child support is for your child or children.
alimony is for your ex.
2007-11-28 04:05:47 · answer #7 · answered by seabreeze951 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋