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Eligibility for child support in joint custody situations

On Behalf of | Feb 7, 2017 | Child Support |

Raising a child is a responsibility that both parents have to undertake. It is a legal obligation to support the child who is in the primary custody of the other parent. Most parents wonder if they are entitled to child support, however, there are certain concerns to consider before exercising your rights to receive the payments.

The eligibility situation becomes more complex when parents share joint custody of the child. In joint custody both the parents devote equal time to the child and are considered custodial parents.  Despite having shared custody, one parent might be required to support the everyday expenses of the child by paying the other parent. This arises when there is a substantial difference in the parent’s incomes, such as when the husband earns a reasonable living while the mother is a stay-at-home parent and vice versa.

Child support is a legal obligation to safeguard the best interests of the child. The money might be utilized for medical costs, extracurricular expenses as well as to support the everyday expenditure of the child. As a parent, you want to secure the future of your child; hence, there is no shame in filing for financial help if you are unable to do it on your own.

If you are facing difficulty in raising your child in a joint custody situation, determining eligibility for child support might be beneficial. Contacting an experienced family law attorney will not only ensure you have the proper information needed to know your rights in a child support dispute, but also supplement your negotiation.  

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