Elmhurst, IL Child Support Attorneys

Child support is one of the central issues to address in divorce or family law cases involving children. As parents take steps to address child custody and create parenting time schedules detailing where children will live in each parent's home, they may encounter questions about how child support will be calculated, what expenses will need to be addressed, and what will happen if their circumstances change in the future. To ensure that issues related to child support will be handled correctly, a parent can work with a family law attorney who has experience addressing these matters.

The lawyers at Goostree Law Group help parents in Elmhurst put the proper child support orders in place and ensure that their children's ongoing needs will be met. With our decades of experience handling divorce, paternity, child custody, and other family law matters, we understand the importance of consistent financial support for children. We work to ensure that the arrangements that are put in place will protect our clients' financial interests and provide for their needs going forward.

The Income Shares Model Used to Calculate Child Support in Illinois

During cases involving child support, courts take steps to ensure that a child will receive the same level of support that would have been available to them if their parents were living together. To ensure that both parents are contributing to their children's financial needs, child support is based on the parents' combined net income. The support that will meet children's basic daily needs is divided between parents based on their respective incomes. In some cases, the allocation of parenting time may also be a factor that can affect child support calculations.

To ensure that child support is calculated correctly, both parents will be required to submit accurate financial information detailing all forms of income they earn and any other financial resources that are available to them. Our attorneys can help clients gather the documentation needed to establish their income, including pay stubs, tax returns, and details about ongoing expenses. With an accurate financial picture, we can make sure child support obligations will be based on the income and resources available to both parents.

Additional Expenses Beyond Basic Child Support

The standard child support payments calculated using the income shares method will only be one part of the full financial picture that may affect parents and children. Parents will usually be required to share additional costs related to raising their children, and these amounts will typically be divided in proportion to each parent's income.

The additional expenses that may be added to child support orders include healthcare costs, with parents being required to divide the monthly premiums needed to provide children with health insurance coverage. Other medical expenses may also need to be addressed, such as copayments, deductibles, medication costs, treatments that are not covered by insurance, and expenses related to dental or orthodontic care.

Childcare expenses will also be shared by parents in many cases. When a parent is working or attending school, children may need to stay at daycare facilities. Other arrangements may also be made, such as hiring nannies or babysitters or attending before- and after-school programs. The costs of childcare may be included in a child support order. Other expenses that may need to be addressed include school fees, the costs of school supplies, and expenses related to extracurricular activities.