One of the most common questions posed by parents of minor children who are separated—or who are about to separate—is: What is child support, and how much can I expect to pay or receive in child support from my co-parent?
This question, and the concern that underlies it, is completely understandable. Life is expensive on its own, and the cost of raising a child or children adds another layer of financial strain. It’s no wonder that both the prospective child support obligor and obligee might worry about how much they will owe or receive in child support each month.
In this four-part series, we will take an in-depth look at child support, specifically: (1) What is child support, and how is it generally calculated? (2) How is income and other requisite inputs for the child support equation determined? (3) What special circumstances may impact child support? (4) How is child support calculated for especially high or low-earning obligors?
In this first installment, we address a fundamental but critical question: What is child support, and how is it calculated generally?
What Is Child Support?
In Ohio, child support is a monetary amount paid by the obligor parent (i.e., the parent who pays support) to the obligee parent (i.e., the parent who receives support) each month. This payment contributes toward the costs and expenses associated with raising the child or children. The purpose of child support is to assist the obligee parent in meeting the current needs of the child or children. When a request for child support is made, Ohio courts evaluate it based on the best interest of the child or children involved. Provided that paternity has been established, child support may be ordered regardless of whether the parents were ever married.
How Is Child Support Calculated?
Generally, child support in Ohio is calculated using the statutorily-established Ohio Child Support Worksheet. Notably, the amount of child support calculated by this worksheet is presumed to be correct. However, this presumption can be challenged by evidence showing that certain expressly-identified circumstances render the calculated amount unjust or inappropriate, and not in the best interest of the child or children.
To calculate child support in Ohio, the following inputs are used in the Ohio Child Support Worksheet:
- The number of children from the relationship
- The gross incomes of each parent from all sources
- The cost paid by a parent for health insurance for the family
- The cost of any work-related daycare for the child or children
These are the main inputs used in the Ohio Child Support Worksheet, though they are not all-inclusive. Using these inputs, the worksheet calculates the statutorily-presumed correct amount of child support to be paid by the obligor parent to the obligee parent each month. There are nuances to the various inputs, including those mentioned above, which we will explore in more depth in part two of this series.
Need Assistance with Child Support?
Do you have questions about child support? The experienced attorneys at KJK Family Law can help. For assistance with these or other domestic relations matters, please contact Janet Stewart Scalley at js@kjk.com or by phone at (216) 696-8700.