Child support payments can make a large difference in the quality of life for the single mother and her family. Many spouses pay without issue however there are those that cannot pay or outright refuse. The single mother or parent can find themselves in quite a negative financial situation should this not be rectified. In this article we will aim to answer some of the questions asked by single mothers looking for advice on child support.
One very popular question asked by single mothers looking for advice on child support is how long does it last? Child support generally lasts until the child reaches legal adult age. There are exceptions to this though if the child has special needs. Child support benefits can also cease if the child becomes and active member of the armed forces; the paying parent’s rights are terminated through some legal process such as adoption or the child becomes and emancipated minor.
Another question that is quite frequently asked pertains to custodial rights in a divorce. When a divorce is finalized one parent takes physical custody of the children. That parent’s financial obligation to the child is considered fulfilled by being the custodial parent. The remaining parent pays child support toward the welfare of the children.
The issue of marriage is another question asked by mothers looking for advice on child support. It does not matter if the parents of the child were married or not, one parent is still responsible for paying child support. Child support obligations are not bound by the laws of marriage.
Some single mothers ask if the child’s step father is responsible for making child support payments. In most cases no. The only exception to this rule is if the step-father adopts the child or children, terminating the rights of the natural father. In that case the step father would be seen as the father and child support would have to be paid.
Most single mothers looking for advice on child support ask how the payments are determined. The individual states have a lot of latitude on this topic but generally child support payments are calculated according to the income or incomes of the family. However, guess how much you might get ahead of time can be frustrating as payments tend to differ greatly.
Finally, what happens if the non-custodial parent refuses to pay the child support? This could have serious results for the person that isn’t paying. It could result in their wages being garnished, tax refunds and property being seized, a loss of their business license, driving license and jail. Should the non-custodial parent experience financial difficulty due to job loss then it is essential that they make an application for modified payments immediately.
Child support can make a real difference in the life of a single mother and her children. It is quite a varied subject. Getting the correct answers to vital questions is essential should a problem arise.
