How is child support calculated with joint custody?

The formulas courts use when determining how much child support a parent must pay depends on a variety of factors.  The primary factor of course is which parent has custody of the child.  If one parent has custody, the non-custodial parent is the one paying child support to the custodial parent.  This changes of course in cases of joint custody. 

In joint custody situations, what either parent must pay in child support depends on a variety of factors, including: 

• How much time the child spends with each parent.  In many cases, the court determines how much child support must be paid as some function of the time spent with one or the other parent.  For example, if the child spends 70 percent of her time with the father, and 30 with the mother, it is likely the mother will be paying child support to the father in this joint custody situation.

• How much money the parents make.  The court will also take into consideration the parents’ income when determining how much child support each parent must pay in joint custody cases.

• The specific laws of the state and jurisdiction.  States vary on how child support is determined in joint custody cases.

A lawyer in your area can help you to better understand what your obligations and rights are in regards to child support.