CHILD SUPPORT

Every parent has the duty to provide his or her children with the basic necessities of life, including food, clothing, and shelter. Unless there is a special agreement, Child Support will normally end when the child reaches the age of majority, when the child graduates from high school, when the child enters the military, or when the child marries.  However, the support obligation can extend beyond the normal stopping point if the child is unable to support himself or herself and would become a public obligation without familial support.

Kentucky has developed guidelines that help establish the amount of child support that must be paid.  Courts take into consideration the income levels of both parents as well as the expenses associated with raising the child. Even though there are statutory guidelines, a judge has the authority to deviate from these guidelines based on the specifics of the situation.  The Cabinet for Health and Family Services provides further useful information about child support calculation:  http://chfs.ky.gov/dis/cse.htm#calculate

The court ordered amount of child support may be changed under certain circumstances and through a variety of methods.  In some situations, the parents agree to a change in the amount of child support, but the court still must approve even an agreed-upon change in order to be enforceable.  When there is no voluntary agreement, the party seeking the change must request a court hearing at which each side will present, usually through counsel, the reasons supporting and opposing the modification. The court usually will not grant the request unless there has been some fairly significant change in circumstances that justifies the change, such as a significant increase in either parent's income through a remarriage or job change or a substantial change in the needs of the child.

Whether you are seeking to collect child support, prevent unmanageable obligations or seek a modification to an existing child support order, we can explore your rights and options while protecting your rights.

DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.