Harrisburg Child Support Lawyer
If you’re facing a child support case, it affects your children’s best interests and well-being, which makes it an important matter that is also legally complex. Whether you are going through a divorce that involves shared children, are seeking a child support modification due to a significant change in circumstances, or have a child support case outside of marriage and divorce, an experienced Harrisburg, PA, child support lawyer can help.
Child Support in Pennsylvania
Every child support determination in the State of Pennsylvania is intended to support the involved children’s best interests and to ensure that each parent continues to support their children financially in relation to their ability to do so. In Pennsylvania, each parent is required to cover their proportionate share of the children’s reasonable needs. When one parent is assigned the role of primary custodian, their contributions to child support are considered covered by their direct contributions in all the following categories:
- Shelter
- Food
- Clothing
- Transportation
- Entertainment
The noncustodial parent, on the other hand, has a child support obligation that is calculated in relation to their income. When the parents share child custody evenly, the higher earner generally makes child support payments to the other parent.
Pennsylvania’s Income Shares Model
Like many other states, Pennsylvania employs what is known as an income shares model for child support. The theory behind this is that children should receive the same proportion of parental income that they would if their parents had remained together. The amount of child support is determined in relation to primary factors like the number of children addressed in the case and the parents’ combined income level.
The obligor is required to pay the proportionate amount of child support owed. For example, if they earn 60 percent of the combined net income, their obligation is 60 percent of the total child support amount required by Pennsylvania’s basic child support schedule, which is based on total combined earnings and the number of children involved.
Exceptions to the Rule
Pennsylvania will order child support outside the predetermined guidelines in relation to factors like the following:
- When a child has special needs
- When a child has extraordinary medical expenses
- When there are additional obligations, such as the expense of private schools to consider
- When the paying parent has the children for at least 40 percent of their overnights, which can reduce that parent’s child support obligation
When the combined income of the parents exceeds $30,000 per month, the child support obligation can be increased to help maintain the lifestyle the children enjoyed when their parents were together – without financially burdening the primary custodial parent excessively. In such a situation, the paying parent is generally required to pay the highest basic child support obligation for the number of children addressed by the order plus a specific percentage of the amount over $30,000 earned per month.
An Experienced Harrisburg Child Support Lawyer Is Standing By to Help
The trusted child support lawyers at Purdy Law Office – proudly serving Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – appreciate the important role that child support plays in your household and have earned an impressive reputation for successfully handling even the most complex child support cases. Learn more by contacting us online or calling 717-527-5751 today.