What Income Counts Toward Child Support?
As a non-custodial parent, you will probably be required to pay child support in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s child support guidelines are based on the “income shares” model, which uses the combined income of both parents, minus any applicable deductions. Even government benefits count toward this income, meaning that if you earn money, you will most likely have to pay support on it.
Given today’s cost of living, nobody can afford to pay more child support than is necessary. Understanding what income counts toward support is crucial to understanding how support is calculated. If you have any questions regarding child support, our child support lawyers are available to review your finances to estimate your potential support amount.
An Overview of Child Support in Harrisburg, PA
Following a divorce, your financial stability may already be in limbo. On top of worrying about how you are going to support yourself, if you have minor children, you will need to factor in child support payments. Child support payments are paid from one parent to the other, typically from the non-custodial to the custodial parent.
As previously mentioned, Pennsylvania bases its child support calculations on the “income shares” model, which assumes that parents with similar incomes have similar expenditures. As a parent’s income increases, the support guidelines assume that the parent will spend more on the child’s reasonable needs. The formula to estimate support payments is based primarily on the net income of both parents.
Net income is calculated by taking a six-month average of a party’s income and subtracting any deductions (i.e., local, state, and federal income tax, union dues, and mandatory retirement contributions). Each parent’s ability to provide support and the number of children they are currently supporting are factored into this equation.
What Income is Calculated as Part of Child Support?
The support guidelines aim to ensure that each parent makes equal financial contributions to the child’s upbringing, calculated as if the family unit were still intact. In Pennsylvania child supportcases, the amount that you are paid before any deductions are applied (i.e., your gross income) is calculated based on the following:
- Wages, salaries, bonuses, fees, and commissions
- Net income from businesses or real estate purchases
- Interests, rents, royalties, and dividends
- Pensions and all forms of retirement
- Interest earned from an estate or trust
- Social Security disability, Social Security retirement, temporary or permanent disability, workers’ compensation, and unemployment benefits
- Alimony (if applicable)
- Entitlements to money or lump sum awards, including lottery winnings, income tax refunds, awards, verdicts, and insurance settlements
- Public assistance or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits
How Can a Harrisburg Child Support Attorney Help Me?
Child support can take a financial toll on the responsible party, making it crucial that you do not pay more support than is necessary. There is no denying that we all want what is best for our children, but not at the expense of neglecting our own needs. When you work with the child support attorneys at Purdy Law, you can rest assured that we will work to represent your interests in court.
Suppose you have any extenuating circumstances that would prevent you from paying a higher support amount. In that case, we can advocate to help lower your support payment to an amount that is reasonable given your situation.
Dedicated Representation from Our Child Support Lawyers
Navigating the complexities of the legal system can be aggravating and time-consuming (leading to further aggravation). If you and your ex are currently disputing over child support, the dedicated legal team at Purdy Law is available to discuss your case. Our Harrisburg child support attorneys have successfully assisted parents and families in charting new territory as they adapt to a new normal.
If you have questions regarding Pennsylvania’s child support guidelines, our office can be reached online or by calling (717) 674-2885 today.