Children in Arizona often go through a dramatic change when parents choose to separate or file for divorce. Whether you have split custody or primary custody, both parties are responsible for providing emotional and financial support to the children involved.
Child support helps to bridge the financial gap children may experience when parents separate. It also provides children with the finances they would have had if their parents had stayed together. Yet, child support payments are not one size fits all. There are several factors that go into determining your unique child support amount.
Child support models
Arizona, like many other states in the nation, uses an income shares model when delegating child support amounts. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, this model combines both parents’ adjusted gross income, then divides it according to the child’s needs. You then use a to determine the total amount of child support owed based on certain factors that may be unique to the situation.
Child support factors
In addition to the income of both parents, the court takes into account other factors, including the following:
- Child care expenses
- Education costs
- Medical expenses
- Time spent with each parent
- Extraordinary expenses arising from handicapped or gifted children
- Traveling costs associated with parenting time
The court may add these expenses into the final child support amount. Keep in mind, once the child support amount is set, it is not permanent. You can file for a child support modification if your life circumstances change. The court will review the child support amount and make changes if necessary.
