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State’s bill would limit dads’ monthly child support payments

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Child Support on Saturday, January 11, 2014.

Most divorced fathers in Illinois loyally and regularly pay their child support obligations every month. After all, it’s in everyone’s best interests — particularly those of the children who are aided by the payments — to continue to pay. While some fathers feel as if they might be on the hook for more than what is necessary for their particular situation, they often feel as if they don’t have much of an opportunity to change that.

Our neighbors to the north in Wisconsin recognize this as well. That’s why a bill about to be heard in committee in that state’s legislature is garnering support from fathers’ rights advocates. The bill would place a limit on the amount of child support that divorced fathers would be obligated to pay.

If the bill were to be enacted, it would prevent Wisconsin courts from figuring out monthly child support payments for income above $150,000. A member of an advocacy group called Dads of Wisconsin says that the point of child support isn’t to redistribute income from one parent to the other; rather, it’s to make sure that kids are taken care of and that they don’t need to depend on welfare from the government.

Another section of the bill is also of interest to divorced fathers. It would encourage judges to give parents equal time with their kids as best as can be determined. At least one dad says that this is even more important than the section of the bill about child support. The bill has several hurdles to clear before becoming law, but it could influence ideas about child support requirements in other states even if it doesn’t pass.

Source: Wisconsin Public Radio, “Bill Limits How Much Child Support Divorced Fathers Must Pay,” Gilman Halsted, Jan. 10, 2013

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