Child Support With Shared Custody

Many courts in the United States are veering away from the idea of sole custody with the idea that shared or joint custody would be ideal for the growth and development, needs, concerns and interests of the child over the needs and concerns of individual parents. Also, courts encourage child support with shared responsibility since it augments the child’s resources for basic needs, care and special needs like medical aid and education.

Child Support With Shared Custody: Does It Work?

By definition, joint custody would mean that either/both the legal or physical aspect of the child is awarded to both parents. It may be awarded as joint physical custody or joint legal custody or both. Joint custody is also called “shared custody” which is accurate since parents share in the company of their child by taking turns or alternating roles by means of schedules and other mechanisms.

Child support with shared custody occurs once both parties “out-of-court” agree to support their child or children financially the best way they can by pooling together their financial resources. So, does joint custody with child support work?

Yes. For most part, parents and legal guardians share in the responsibility of parenting and care and very barely have disputes about these matters. Moreover, children are exposed to the contact of both of the involved parents as these parents support their financial needs. Furthermore, parents have their own time suitable for their own needs.

Child Support with Shared Custody: The Specifics.

Child support with shared custody is mainly “income driven”. It is proportional to the income of a parent therefore, it is important for both parents to know what types of cash flows are included as “sources of income”. Also, child support in joint custody is mainly set on an agreement basis outside of the courts. Therefore, there is no real need for a lawyer to be present for this agreement. However, it is advisable for parents to write down their agreement on paper.

Another thing is, child support with shared custody works when parents pool together their resources calculated with their incomes, other taxes and fees in mind. Calculators and downloadable forms in the payment of child support in joint custody are available for use via the Internet. These tools are helpful and convenient in the payment of child support with shared custody. They also lessen the financial dispute between parents and guardians by providing a set standard of contributions, or percentages of income that may be used in the allotment of child support.

In cases where children spend equal time in the custody of both parents, these parents will both be known as “custodial parents”. However, one parent may be obliged to pay child support to the other especially if there is a large difference in parents’ incomes. Without child support with shared custody in the form of receiving financial support from the “more financially stable parent” then, it would be hard just living on the day-to-day expenses that will properly provide for the child’s basic needs and care.