Do you have to pay maintenance if you have joint custody?

Do you have to pay maintenance if you have joint custody?

the vast majority of parents assume that the parent who earns more than the other will pay child maintenance. That’s not right as under complicated child maintenance law rules if both parents equally share the care of their children neither parent will pay child maintenance to the other parent.

Does my ex have to pay child support?

If you and your ex-partner have children, you’re both expected to continue to pay towards their costs after you separate. And often that means one parent will pay the other. You can agree this between you or, if you can’t agree, ask the Child Maintenance Service to calculate the amount.

What happens if you don’t pay child support in Arkansas?

The State of Arkansas rigorously enforces child support obligations. If a payor gets behind on payments, the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) will often garnish the payor’s wages. We do not have debtor’s prison in Arkansas, but a court can sentence you to jail for contempt.

What happens when your ex doesn’t pay child support?

The consequences of violating a court order cut both ways. If your ex refuses to pay child support, they’re in violation, and they risk being held in contempt and receiving fines or even jail time. In cases where you and your ex reside in different states, additional federal laws protect your right to child support.

Do you have to pay child support if you are a parent?

If you are a parent, you have a responsibility to financially support any child that you parent. Your parental responsibilities are legally determined in one of two ways: You acknowledge that you are a parent by welcoming your child into your home and caring for them as your own State laws vary on the definition of a parent.

How does living with someone affect child support?

The amount of child support your ex-spouse is ordered to pay usually isn’t affected by the fact that you live with someone else. However, if your new partner provides shelter or buys food, clothing, or other items for you, your ex-spouse may petition the court to reduce his or her child support obligation.

What to do if your mother owes you child support?

If you are owed court-ordered child support by your child’s mother, federal law requires the state or district attorney to help you collect delinquent child support payments. Most states have a bureaucracy (which may have a name like the Office of Recovery Services) available to collect these payments.

Who is responsible for child support after a divorce?

Both parents have the responsibility to support their children financially. When a divorce occurs and one parent has physical custody of the children, that parent’s responsibility is fulfilled by being the custodial parent. The other parent then makes a child support payment to fulfill their non-custodial parent financial responsibilities.