You might be surprised to learn that nearly 7 women per 1,000 got divorced in 2021 in the United States. While these situations are complicated enough on their own, adding in factors like child support can make divorces more difficult to deal with.
Many people in Augusta, Georgia, find it hard to navigate nuances like these on their own. So, is child support taxable income?
We’ve created a brief guide with the key information you should keep in mind. Let’s explore what you need to know.
Is Child Support Taxable Income?
Those receiving child support will be pleased to know that it is tax-free. However, the individual making child support payments isn’t able to deduct this money from their taxes.
Situations like these can easily lead to financial stress for the payer. Judges aim to set a fair amount that provides support for the children without derailing the payer’s life.
What Determines Child Support?
There’s no shortage of factors that determine the amount of money you will receive in child support. The judge will assess these and make their decision based on this information. Let’s explore them in detail below.
Income
Child support payments are often based on both parents’ income. The nightmare scenarios you hear about will often only occur when the parent without custody makes significantly more money than the parent who has custody. To clarify, consider a scenario where two people divorced and the mother got custody of all three children.
She makes approximately $40,000 per year while the father makes around $150,000 per year. The court would likely order him to pay a substantial amount in child support due to this income discrepancy.
Number of Children
The more children someone has, the more they can receive child support payments. The court will calculate how much each child should receive per month. Afterward, they’ll use the total as the child support payment obligation.
Expenses
This is one of the most important attributes the judge considers. Some children have a larger number of financial obligations than others. For example, consider a child who has special needs.
They would likely require therapy, and the home may have special equipment or utilities. As you might assume, these payments cover necessities like food and clothing.
However, child support also extends to recreational activities like high school sports or hobbies. The higher their monthly expenses, the more the payer will need to contribute to child support.
What If I Stop Receiving Child Support?
If a parent does not obey a child support order, they can be found in contempt of court. A judge might order them to be enrolled in the state’s Fatherhood Program or Parental Accountability Court program. If the payer is found guilty of contempt of court, they could be sentenced to jail time.
The individual in question is still obligated to pay the entirety of the past-due amount. If you stop receiving child support payments, you should reach out to an attorney. They have the tools and resources to help you get the money you deserve.
What if Child Support Payments Are Too High?
There are situations where the payer will no longer be able to satisfy their child support obligations. For example, they can lose their job or become injured and be unable to work. The court will assess their situation and determine the best course of action.
Encountering financial hardship doesn’t absolve you of your requirement to pay child support, though. The court will often find a way to make you pay.
How Is Child Support Enforced?
The government will enforce child support payments in various ways. One of the most common is withholding child support from paychecks or unemployment benefits. The same is true for federal or state income tax funds.
In some situations, the state government might suspend the payer’s driver’s license. If they have lottery warnings that exceed $2,500, the government will intercept them.
The government may also file liens to seize bank accounts, real estate, or personal property. If the payer is deemed a flight risk, they could have their passport revoked or its issue denied.
Finding Family Lawyers
Not all attorneys are created equal, and it’s imperative to do your due diligence before making your decision. See what other people online have to say about their experiences.
Were they satisfied overall? Did they encounter problems the attorney couldn’t help them overcome?
The answers to questions like these will help you narrow down your decision. Pay close attention to how they respond to negative feedback. They shouldn’t get defensive or aggressive when facing criticism.
Keep an eye out for fake reviews, as well. These tend to be posted in large batches and contain the same keywords.
Make sure they specialize in this area of law, as well. For example, you wouldn’t want to hire auto accident lawyers who claim to have knowledge of family law.
The same can be said about hiring a personal injury lawyer who’s worked on divorce cases in the past. Ideally, you’ll find someone who has around a decade’s worth of experience.
Explore their pricing structure, as well. You often get what you pay for when choosing attorneys, and it’s never recommended to go with the cheapest options. Some attorneys charge by the hour, while others impose flat rates.
Look into this information so you can avoid financial surprises. The last thing you want is to pay far more than you anticipated. With enough vigilance, you shouldn’t have an issue making the best choice.
Take Action ASAP
When you encounter legal difficulties, it’s imperative to take action as soon as possible. This will help you traverse the obstacles you deal with. Just be sure to consider the answer to “Is child support taxable income?”
Blake & Detchemendy specializes in handling divorce, child custody, child support, and other areas of family law in Augusta, Georgia. We strive to create personalized plans for each client we work with.
You’ll also have insight into your case through the transparency we provide. You can learn more about how we can help when you schedule a consultation today.
