Child support guidelines exist under state laws, which vary by state, to require the non-custodial parent, under normal circumstances, to pay child support based on a percentage of net or gross income. Child support guidelines are based on income, not expenses. The percentage of support is calculated based on the total number of children for which a parent has an obligation to support. Some state guidelines provide an adjustment for work-related child care costs.

Child support guidelines are founded on the premise that children should continue to receive the same level of support that would have been available to them had the family unit remained intact.… Read the rest

Child support is a parent’s legal obligation to contribute to the financial care and costs of raising his or her child. Usually support is provided until the child reaches the age of majority, or child’s emancipation before reaching majority or the child’s completion of secondary education. This obligation is enforceable both civilly and criminally.

In the context of custody or divorce action it refers to the money legally owed by one parent to the other for the expenses incurred for children of the marriage. In such cases, child support is determined as part of the divorce settlement along with other issues such as alimony, custody and visitation.… Read the rest

There are two kinds of custody: legal custody and physical custody. Split custody describes when siblings are separated, with one parent having one or more children and the other parent having custody of the other children. Custody battles most often arise in a divorce or separation, requiring a court’s determination of which parent, relative or other adult should have physical and/or legal control and responsibility for a minor (child) under 18. When both parents share custody of a child after a divorce it is called joint custody. Joint custody may be either legal or physical custody.… Read the rest

Primary custody refers to the parent with whom a child lives after both parents separate or divorce. It is also referred to as physical custody. Primary custody is awarded based upon a number of factors and doesn’t necessarily denote the fitness of the parent. The primary residential parent generally has final decision-making authority in day-to-day care and control of each child. Primary custody is governed by state statutes, which vary by state.

The following is an example of one state’s definition of primary custody:

“A parent has primary physical custody (or primary custody) of children for purposes of this rule if the children reside with the other parent for a period specified in the custody order of less than 30 percent of the year.”

There are two kinds of custody: legal custody and physical custody. Custody battles most often arise in a divorce or separation, requiring a court’s determination of which parent, relative or other adult should have physical and/or legal control and responsibility for a minor (child) under 18. When both parents share custody of a child after a divorce it is called joint custody. Sole custody is both legal and physical custody by one parent. Physical custody, designates where the child will actually live, whereas legal custody gives the custodial person(s) the right to make decisions for the child’s welfare.… Read the rest

When both parents share custody of a child after a divorce it is called joint custody. Joint custody may be either legal or physical custody. Physical custody,  designates where the child will actually live, whereas legal custody gives the custodial person(s) the right to make decisions for the child’s welfare. Child custody can be decided by a local court in a divorce or if a child, relative, close friend or state agency questions whether one or both parents is unfit, absent, dead, in prison or dangerous to the child’s well-being. In such cases custody can be awarded to a grandparent or other relative, a foster parent or an orphanage or other organization or institution.… Read the rest

Partial custody indicates one parent has lesser time with the child than the custodial parent. In Pennsylvania, 23 Pa.C.S. § 5302 defines partial custody as “The right to take possession of a child away from the custodial parent for a certain period of time” Generally while making an order for partial custody, the court shall consider the following:

• The preference of the child as well as any other factors which legitimately impacts the child’s physical, intellectual and emotional well-being.
• Which parent is more likely to encourage, permit and allow frequent and continuing contact and physical access between the noncustodial parent and the child.