On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Child Support on Tuesday, August 1, 2017.
When researching online for a divorce, Illinois residents might come across child support calculators. These tools can be helpful, but they are often not accurate. However, they can provide a general overview on how the payment decision will be made.
Child support calculators estimate the amount a non-custodial parent might pay for support. Information like income and the amount of a time a child spends with each parent could be used to generate a monthly sum. The result may provide a ballpark figure of what one could expect to pay or receive.
Support calculators cannot accurately predict payments because one cannot gauge how a judge will interpret a situation. Additionally, factors not considered by a child support calculator may be taken into account. These factors could include health care, school tuition, day care expenses and emergency costs.
If parents can work together, then they might form an agreement about custody and support without going to court. Even when doing this, parents should have support orders finalized by a judge. This makes them enforceable by law in case either party has a problem later. In some cases, a judge may adjust the amount.
Child support orders are intended to last for long periods of time, but situations might occur that require a modification. Change of circumstances like job loss, sickness or another unexpected event could lead one party to ask the court for a modification. The court might grant or deny a modification request. When dealing with child support or modifications, one may wish to consult an attorney. A lawyer could review a support plan and offer advice to help one reach an amount that a judge will approve.
