The state of Indiana calculates child support based on two main factors: how much each parent makes and how much money each parent must spend on their monthly living expenses. Courts will also factor in how much time each parent spends with the child and what the child needs.
In this article, the Indiana family law attorney, Chris Arrington, will look at child support orders, how they are calculated, and what to expect when the court issues an order for child support.
How is child support calculated in Indiana?
When a parent requests child support in Indiana, the child support office will consider the assets, debts, and gross weekly income of both parents. Gross weekly income can include:
- Wages
- Salaries
- Income from rental properties
- Royalties
- Veteran’s benefits
- Social Security/disability benefits
- Commissions
- Dividends
- “Imputed income” such as the use of a company car, housing, or stipends
Once gross weekly income is calculated, Indiana creates an “adjusted weekly income” based on the parent’s weekly expenses. These are necessary expenses such as rent, utilities, spousal support, or other child support obligations. The child support guidelines are then used to calculate the total amount of child support owed by the parent without residential custody.
The more an individual makes, the more they have to pay. For example, an individual who earns $1,000 per week after paying their monthly bills will owe:
- $152 for one child
- $228 for two children
- $285 for three children
- $321 for four children
The maximum amount that a parent must pay cannot exceed 50% of their adjusted weekly income. That means income after expenses have been deducted. In the example mentioned above, an individual would not be forced to pay more than $500 a week in child support regardless of how many children they had.
How long does the child support order last?
A typical child support order lasts until the child turns 19 years of age. However, a court can terminate child support before then if the child is at least 18 years old, hasn’t attended school in four months, and is capable of employment. Child support orders are never automatically terminated. A parent who wants to terminate or modify an existing child support order must petition the court in order to do so. On the other hand, Indiana law allows the court to extend child support payments past the child’s 19th birthday until they turn 21 if an educational support request is filed before the child turns 19.
Contact an Indiana Child Support Lawyer Today
Chris Arrington represents the interests of Indiana residents who are going through divorce. Child support remains an important element that needs to be settled once the divorce is finalized. Our attorneys can help you through the process of negotiating a fair child support amount based on the income and expenses of your former spouse. We can also help you modify or terminate a child support order. Call our office today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your next steps right away.