A study released in June of 2015 found that people in England and the United States feel their respective child support laws are unfair. The study respondents were given specific scenarios and income figures and asked to imagine they were the judge making the decision in child support cases.
The study conducted by researchers at Arizona State University and published by the Child and Family Blog, found that respondents think the calculation of child support owed by the non-custodial parent should take the income of the custodial parent into account. Fluctuations in the income of the non-custodial parent did not merit an adjustment according to the study participants. Participants also opined that the remarriage of the custodial parent should affect the child support asked of the non-custodial parent in that it should be lowered to reflect the income contribution of the new spouse. Study researchers believe the study findings of public opinion should be taken into consideration by lawmakers when reevaluating child support guidelines.
Currently, in the United States, child support is decided differently in each state. Some states calculate the non-custodial parent’s support contribution using the non-custodial parent’s income alone, while in other states child support is calculated using the custodial parent’s income as well. In England, only the income of the father is used to calculate child support.
Reality of Child Support Laws
Remarriage does not change the child support requirement, because the new spouse is not the parent and therefore has no legal responsibility to support the child. Child support is often calculated using the incomes of both parents as well as the number of overnights spent at each home. May believe that a universal system is necessary, although judges currently have discretion in unusual circumstances.
Towson Divorce Lawyers at Huesman, Jones and Miles, LLC Assist Clients with Child Support Challenges
Towson child support lawyers at Huesman, Jones and Miles, LLC understand child support matters in Maryland and will help you find solutions that enable you to properly provide for your child. Our team of experienced Baltimore child support lawyers will work hard to solve difficult issues involving child support or child custody, so you can sleep well at night.
Our offices are located in Hunt Valley, Towson, and Pikesville, Maryland allowing us to serve clients throughout Baltimore County, Harford County, Carroll County and Howard County, as well as residents of Towson, Bel Air, Columbia, Elliott City, Westminster and Essex. To learn more about how the Baltimore County divorce lawyers at Huesman, Jones and Miles, LLC can help you solve your Maryland child support issues, call us at 443-589-0150 or use our online contact form for a free consultation.
