Child support law is a complex subject, a crossroad where family law, financial law, and child welfare converge. It is a system set in place to ensure that the financial needs of children are met when their parents are no longer in a relationship. Recently, numerous jurisdictions have implemented changes to child support law, particularly in the areas of income and housing.

These changes are designed to protect the best interests of the child while also considering the economic realities faced by the parents.

Child Support Law: Income

Traditionally, the income of both parents plays a significant role in determining the amount of child support.

• Equitable Support: The primary goal is to maintain, as closely as possible, the standard of living that the child would have had if the parents were together. Recent changes in child support laws have started to consider additional income factors to determine a more equitable support amount.
• Income Changes: The noncustodial parent's income was the primary factor in setting child support payments. However, new legislation now considers the custodial parent's income in many jurisdictions. This shift ensures that both parents contribute fairly to the child's needs. Furthermore, these changes have also led to the consideration of each parent's earning potential, a factor that becomes particularly relevant in cases of voluntary underemployment or unemployment.

Changes to the law also involve more precise definitions and expansions of what constitutes income. In addition to regular wages and salaries, sources of income such as capital gains, dividends, rental income, inheritances, and even lottery winnings are now often included in child support calculations.

Child Support Law: Housing

Changes in housing-related child support laws primarily focus on ensuring that children have stable, adequate living conditions. These adjustments recognize the escalating cost of housing and its direct impact on child welfare.

• Suitable Housing: In previous years, housing costs were not explicitly considered in child support calculations, aside from general living expenses. Now, many jurisdictions specifically include a portion of housing costs in the child support formula, thereby ensuring that the child has a suitable home.
• Local Laws: In some jurisdictions, the cost of maintaining a home for the child, even when the child is not residing there full time, is recognized. This change considers the noncustodial parent's need to provide a suitable environment during visitation periods.

There are also new protections in place to safeguard the family home in the event of a divorce or separation. For instance, courts can prevent the sale of the family home to ensure that children's living arrangements are not disrupted. This change is particularly important for providing stability in the child's life during a tumultuous time.

Child support law continues to evolve in response to the changing needs of families and the economic landscape, reflecting society's ongoing effort to prioritize the best interests of children. Contact a child support attorney to learn more.