Facts About Child Support in Washington Indiana

by | Apr 3, 2014 | Attorney

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Parents who are getting divorced may be particularly interested in how child support works in the state of Indiana. The amount the noncustodial parent pays in child support is determined by the court and takes into account each parent’s income. These facts will help you understand how child support in Washington Indiana is computed.

Indiana considers the gross income of both parents. Though some parents think this method isn’t fair, it takes taxes into account and eliminates the task of verifying deductions.

Child support continues until a child is 19-years-old or is emancipated.

Support can include expenses such as medical costs, private school tuition and child care costs.

The method used by the state of Indiana takes both parent’s income into account and determines an appropriate child support award based on the percentage of income that the noncustodial would be contributing to the care of the children if they were in the home.

Noncustodial parents who have overnight visits with their children can receive a credit to their child support. The credit is designed to offset the costs of having the child in the home and reduce the amount paid to the custodial parent when the child is not there. This credit may also encourage noncustodial parents to spend more time with their children.

An income withholding order may be used to collect child support in Washington Indiana. These orders require employers to send child support directly to the courts, where it is then disbursed to the custodial parent.

Indiana courts have a few tools to encourage parents to pay their child support. Courts may seize bank accounts and tax refunds of noncustodial parents or, in extreme cases, send a parent to jail.

It is in the best interest of the children for parents who are ordered to pay child support to meet their obligations. Child support is not about whether or not the other parent is getting more than they deserve. If the custodial parent doesn’t have enough money to pay the bills and buy food, the child doesn’t have what he or she needs. Indiana courts may consider exceptional circumstances when calculating child support but will not tolerate blatant refusal to pay.