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What factors determine child support in Ohio?

On Behalf of | Jan 30, 2019 | Child Support |

As a parent, your first concern is the welfare of your children. During a divorce, you want to help them understand and shield them from as much drama as possible. You would also like to keep their lives as much the same as you can.

If you are the primary custodial parent of the children, the court may award child support to help with the expenses of raising your children. Here is what determines child support payments in Ohio.

Children should receive the same support

In Ohio, child support is calculated so children receive the same financial support they would have if their parents had not split. The first thing a court looks at is the parents’ combined income. According to the Ohio Department of Family and Job Services, income includes:

  • Employment income
  • Unemployment income
  • Income from self-employment
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Retirement benefits
  • Disability benefits
  • Bonuses
  • Commissions
  • Any other income

After all sources of both parents’ income are combined, the court reviews several other factors to determine how much the non-custodial parent must pay. These factors are:

  • Costs of healthcare
  • Daycare costs
  • If children have special needs
  • Private school costs
  • The number of children

Other spouse’s income affects his or her payment

The percentage your ex contributes to your combined income calculation also affects the child support payment number. If your ex makes 70 percent of the combined income number, he or she should have to pay 70 percent of the calculated support payment. This number also increases with the number of children. The yearly total is then divided into monthly or bi-weekly payments, depending on how often the other parent is paid.

Child support payments can be changed

You or the other parent can request an administrative review of child support 36 months after the order is established or it was last reviewed. Other special circumstances like layoffs or jail time can prompt an earlier review of child support. Support can be increased, decreased or stay the same after a review.

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