Does a spouse have to pay spousal/child support to an ex who didn’t work? In Pennsylvania spousal support is paid usually prior to a divorce action. You can be separated and a party can bring an action for spousal support. During a pending divorce action it’s sometimes called spousal support, but it’s also often called […]
Child Support
If somebody is divorced and their former spouse’s income had doubled, what would they do in that case?
“If somebody is divorced and their former spouse’s income had doubled, what would they do in that case?” They can go online and look at what the guidelines would provide, or they can go to their local domestic relations office in each county and file a petition to increase. They could go to a lawyer […]
Is child support based on the needs of the children or child?
No, not necessarily. Pennsylvania has guidelines based on what is called income share models. There are statistical analysis as to families spending certain percentages of their incomes for their children. These guidelines and grids are reviewed every three years in accordance with federal mandates. Those guidelines are published, they’re available; people have to keep in […]
What about gifts from third parties to either the parents or the children, are they income for support purposes?
“What about gifts from third parties to either the parents or the children, are they income for support purposes?” Under our statute they are not income to be included in any formulas there or any grids, but there is what we call a deviate from the guidelines. There’s a provision under our statute for deviation. […]
I’ve been ordered to pay an amount of child and/or spousal support that I can’t afford…
“I’ve been ordered to pay an amount of child and/or spousal support that I can’t afford. What are my options?” If the court has ordered that you pay a specific amount, you will have to pay it unless and until your ex agrees to a different amount or the court orders a different amount after […]
Podcast: Can I force my children’s father to take responsibility for their upbringing?
In this podcast, Karen Covy responds to a common child custody question: “Can I force my children’s father to take some responsibility for their upbringing?”
WATCH: Do I have an obligation to pay child support once my children are over the age of 18
The Family Law Act requires every parent to provide for the support of his or her unmarried child who is under the age of 18 or enrolled in a full-time education program. The Divorce Act, which is the federal statute, requires child support to be paid for a “child of the marriage”, which is a […]
What are the child support guidelines in South Carolina?
In South Carolina the Department of Social Services, many years ago, came up with a computer analysis for determination of child support. Both parents’ gross incomes are utilized. The number of children is inputted into the program; the cost for daycare, the cost for health insurance coverage, any extraordinary expenses; for example if a child […]
What happens if one of the parties remarries?
Yes there is. A step parent, under the law, truly has no legal or moral obligation to support another person’s child. Certainly they do, we all know that, just by virtue of being in the home and contributing their income to the home. But a step parent coming into the picture does not relieve the […]
Who will pay for our kids’ private school after we divorce?
Who will pay for our kids’ private school after we divorce? With the child and spousal support I expect to be paying, I don’t know how I’ll afford the tuition.
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