As a divorce lawyer, one of the most critical issues that arise during a divorce involving children is child support. Child support is the financial obligation that a non-custodial parent has to support their child or children. This obligation is designed to ensure that the child’s basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, and medical care, are met.
In most cases, the parent who has primary physical custody of the child or children is the one who receives child support payments. This is because they are responsible for the day-to-day care of the child, which includes providing for their basic needs.
The amount of child support that is paid is determined based on a variety of factors. These include the income of both parents, the number of children involved, and the amount of time each parent spends with the children. In most cases, child support is calculated using a formula that takes these factors into account.
As a divorce lawyer, I always advise my clients to approach child support negotiations with the best interests of their children in mind. While it can be tempting to try to minimize child support payments, this approach can ultimately hurt the child in the long run.
By ensuring that child support payments are fair and adequate, both parents can contribute to the child’s upbringing and ensure that their needs are met. This, in turn, can help to minimize conflict and stress for everyone involved, which can be particularly important for children who are already coping with the stress of their parents’ divorce.
In summary, child support is a critical issue that must be addressed during any divorce involving children. As a divorce lawyer, I always advise my clients to approach this issue with the best interests of their children in mind. By doing so, they can help to ensure that their children’s needs are met and that they can move forward with their lives in a positive and healthy way.