Child support refers to the obligations, following divorce, of a noncustodial parent towards the upkeep of the child. Typically, child support takes the form of regular payments made by the non-custodial parent to the parent who has custody of the child.
What is the justification for child support?
In a sole custody, one parent is awarded the custody of the child. The custodial parent keeps the child, this being his or her contribution towards the upbringing of the child. The noncustodial parent, who usually has visiting rights to the child, fulfills his or her responsibility by contributing to the financial cost of maintaining the child.
What happens in case of joint custody?
In case of joint custody, child support is usually divided between both parents, usually based on how their individual incomes measure against the sum of their joint earnings, and on the amount of time the child stays with each parent.
How is the amount of child support decided?
Child support is typically calculated by taking into consideration the requirements needs of the . Individual states have, however, have formulated their own guidelines to calculate the amount, so that the actual amount may vary widely even in similar circumstances.
These factors are generally taken into consideration while calculating child support:
• The child's needs
• Ability of the parent to pay
• Standard of living of the child before the parents' divorce
• The custodial parent's needs
What happens if a parent cannot pay child support?
Usually a parent is expected to pay the sum due as child in keeping with the dates decided upon by the court. In case of a valid reason, such as altered financial conditions, a parent may approach the court with a request to modify the amount of child support. If granted, this will be applicable only to future payments. In this case, the judge will also order the parent to pay in full, any arrears, or overdue payments, immediately.
Every divorced dad has to carry his own grief and try to begin a new life again in the world. Remember that you are still a father. Taking care of your children during this crisis is your first priority.
Showing posts with label divorced dad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label divorced dad. Show all posts
Monday, December 29, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Holiday Tips for Divorced Dads
The Christmas and New Year season is almost upon us and many divorced dads are wondering how best keep to their kids happy without them feeling unhappily dragged from one parent to the other.
When the parents maintain a friendly, or at least professional, relationship it is easier to decide a good course of action mutually but when the opposite is true, everyone suffers, especially the children.
In a mature relationship, both parents would probably plan together what to do during the holiday season. For example, they would mutually agree to one parent having their kids full time at Christmas and the other full time at New Year.
This way, the children can look forward to receiving the undivided attention of both mom and dad over a defined period of time. Having the children over for lunch at mom's and then rushing off to dad's for an early dinner would subject them to a stressful feeling of being pulled apart at the seams. This kind of planning ahead lets everyone, especially the children, know what's coming and that it is in fact, something to look forward to.
On the other hand, a bad or immature relationship between divorced parents might involve, at the least, hasty decisions taken at the last minute when no one knows what to do or where to go until the last moment. Some parents even rush off for lunch at mom's and dinner at pop's resulting only in stress, and the lack of a more prolonged quality time for the children.
Planning is the secret for a divorced dad. Plan ahead, even the whole year, and everyone involved will be much happier. In fact, this may even end up as a happy family tradition.
When the parents maintain a friendly, or at least professional, relationship it is easier to decide a good course of action mutually but when the opposite is true, everyone suffers, especially the children.
In a mature relationship, both parents would probably plan together what to do during the holiday season. For example, they would mutually agree to one parent having their kids full time at Christmas and the other full time at New Year.
This way, the children can look forward to receiving the undivided attention of both mom and dad over a defined period of time. Having the children over for lunch at mom's and then rushing off to dad's for an early dinner would subject them to a stressful feeling of being pulled apart at the seams. This kind of planning ahead lets everyone, especially the children, know what's coming and that it is in fact, something to look forward to.
On the other hand, a bad or immature relationship between divorced parents might involve, at the least, hasty decisions taken at the last minute when no one knows what to do or where to go until the last moment. Some parents even rush off for lunch at mom's and dinner at pop's resulting only in stress, and the lack of a more prolonged quality time for the children.
Planning is the secret for a divorced dad. Plan ahead, even the whole year, and everyone involved will be much happier. In fact, this may even end up as a happy family tradition.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Divorced Dads - Dealing With Broken Home
The thought of what has happened interrupts you seven times a day. You have lost everything you helped build, all sense of love and belonging in the world. The crisis has left in its wake the disorganization of your instincts and ideas.
Every divorced dad has to carry his own grief and try to begin a new life again in the world. Remember that you are still a father. Taking care of your children during this crisis is your first priority. It's the only way to break the inertia. It's the only way to get back in control of your life, take responsibility and start fixing that broken heart, that broken home.
It is time to get help:
• Along with the correct legal advice, consider seeing a family therapist or psychologist.
• Coping isn't easy. Feelings of rage and vindication can overwhelm you at this time. Be aware that these feelings are normal, but acting on them is not.
• You need to talk it out-with friends, a support group or with a therapist. Newly divorced dads often find this helpful to regain a sense of control over their situation.
• Remember that it takes time to get back to what will pass for "normal", given your new situation. Set realistic expectations for how long it will take to get back on track.
It takes a lot of sanity to make the right decision when it comes to deciding the fate of your fatherhood after divorce. That is exactly what is at stake in the situation.
Knowing your rights as a father is the first positive step towards understanding your legal position. Once you have familiarized yourself with the legal basics, you can decide on the individual merits of your case with the help of your lawyer:
• If you feel the divorce is "not your fault" or if your spouse is an incompetent parent, you may choose to sue for sole custody. However, this may involve unnecessary separations and prolonged battles with your family, and resulting alienation and resentment among your children.
• You may decide to negotiate for joint custody and generous visitation rights-decisions which go a long way in repairing the damage of divorce and gives time to everyone to deal rationally with each other.
You may find that a commitment towards creating conditions for a stable environment for your children is more important than taking revenge on your spouse for the divorce. Divorced dads have a lot to prove since they will likely take at least half the blame for the break up of the family.
Every divorced dad has to carry his own grief and try to begin a new life again in the world. Remember that you are still a father. Taking care of your children during this crisis is your first priority. It's the only way to break the inertia. It's the only way to get back in control of your life, take responsibility and start fixing that broken heart, that broken home.
It is time to get help:
• Along with the correct legal advice, consider seeing a family therapist or psychologist.
• Coping isn't easy. Feelings of rage and vindication can overwhelm you at this time. Be aware that these feelings are normal, but acting on them is not.
• You need to talk it out-with friends, a support group or with a therapist. Newly divorced dads often find this helpful to regain a sense of control over their situation.
• Remember that it takes time to get back to what will pass for "normal", given your new situation. Set realistic expectations for how long it will take to get back on track.
It takes a lot of sanity to make the right decision when it comes to deciding the fate of your fatherhood after divorce. That is exactly what is at stake in the situation.
Knowing your rights as a father is the first positive step towards understanding your legal position. Once you have familiarized yourself with the legal basics, you can decide on the individual merits of your case with the help of your lawyer:
• If you feel the divorce is "not your fault" or if your spouse is an incompetent parent, you may choose to sue for sole custody. However, this may involve unnecessary separations and prolonged battles with your family, and resulting alienation and resentment among your children.
• You may decide to negotiate for joint custody and generous visitation rights-decisions which go a long way in repairing the damage of divorce and gives time to everyone to deal rationally with each other.
You may find that a commitment towards creating conditions for a stable environment for your children is more important than taking revenge on your spouse for the divorce. Divorced dads have a lot to prove since they will likely take at least half the blame for the break up of the family.
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