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Experienced Child Support Attorney Who Can Help You

The ending of a marriage is an emotionally difficult process even under the best of circumstances, however, when you have children, that is even more challenging as you must then partake in child custody and child support negotiations. Even if you have never been married, you will be required to pay child support for your child to support them if you have separated from their parent. In Connecticut, the amount that is due for child support is set forth in the child support guidelines, however not every family qualifies under these guidelines and may require the court to use an alternative set of rules.

At the Law Office of Susan A. Moch, I can help you with your child support case. I have over 45 years of experience as a family law attorney helping the people of Westport and Fairfield County. You can get answers to your questions and representation to advocate for you in your case.

How Does Child Support Get Determined By Courts?

For the majority of cases, courts in Connecticut will use the income shares model to determine what amount of support is appropriate. Simply put, it estimates what both parents would spend on their child or children in a week if they all had remained together, and allocates each parent their fair share.

This is calculated first by combining both parents’ gross salaries to determine what they would spend on their children on average, which is determined via a table in the child support guidelines. Next, the court will see how much of a percentage each parent is contributing to their combined gross income, and then the parent will owe that much of a percentage of the total amount of money that should be spent on the child based on their combined gross income.

Let’s use an example to demonstrate this. In one divorced family, the family’s combined gross weekly income was $1,000, and one spouse made $667 and the other made $333, and they have two children together. Under the child support guidelines, for two children the average spending level should be $322 per week. The lower-earning spouse has full custody of the children. In this case, the parent without custody would be required to pay 66.7% of the $322 per week, exactly $214.77, and the custodial spouse would be responsible for the remaining amount which they will spend on the children in their care.

When Do The Child Support Guidelines Not Apply?

There are many factors that can apply that will make a case fall outside of the child support guidelines. The most common is when the child or children have unique medical or educational needs, when a parent has other dependents that they care for, and when there are financial resources that are not included under the standard definition of income and shared custody arrangements. For higher-income families whose weekly income exceeds the child support guidelines table, those are calculated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the law.

I Can Help You With Your Child Support Case

No matter what your situation, whether you are negotiating child support, seeking a modification of child support or need help to compel your former spouse to pay their child support obligations, I can help you. You can reach me by calling my office at Call, or send me a message online with a brief description of your situation.