On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Paternity/Child Support on Thursday, July 11, 2019.
Missouri parents know that, when it comes to taking care of a child, finances can become a concern. Especially in the summer months, when most children are not in school, the cost of raising a child can be a major stress that falls upon a parent. Many parents may have a child support order, which helps ensure that both parents contribute to a child’s financial needs.
A parent may not be aware that moving to another state can affect child support payments. Each state has a different approach to calculating child support payments, and knowledgeable sources say that these payments can vary by at least $700 from state to state. If a parent is considering a move, he or she may want to seek legal advice to see how these payments could be affected.
The reasons for the discrepancies vary. Some states do not consider a mother’s income when child support is being calculated. Other states aim to keep the payments low so that the parent responsible for making the payments is not at risk for falling behind. Now, many advocates say that child support should be calculated on a national level, based on the cost of living in the United States, but there is currently no pending legislation to do this.
If a Missouri parent, or a parent considering making a move to Missouri, needs to establish, modify or enforce a child support order, he or she may want to have a professional on his or her side. An experienced attorney can help a parent use the legal system to ensure his or her child receives all of the financial support he or she is eligible to collect. It has become clear that child support payments are a factor to consider if either parent is considering a move, and a knowledgeable attorney can help a parent navigate the legal process on behalf of a child.
