When parents find themselves going through a separation or a divorce, one of the most vital aspects they need to consider is the well-being of their children. For the parent who is not the primary caregiver, this often involves making child support payments to ensure that their children are adequately provided for financially. To guarantee that all children receive the appropriate financial support from both parents, Kentucky has established specific guidelines for calculating these child support payments.
Unveiling the Basic Child Support Obligation
The basic child support obligation refers to the amount that the non-custodial parent is legally obligated to pay to the custodial parent. Determined by the gross income of the paying parent as well as the number of children involved, this obligation is derived from a chart outlined in Kentucky’s child support guidelines.
These guidelines fundamentally believe that children should receive an equal proportion of their parents’ income, irrespective of which parent they reside with. To put this into practice, the chart takes into account the number of children as well as the total gross income of each parent involved.
Deciphering the Calculation of Income
To accurately calculate child support payments within the confines of Kentucky, the initial step involves determining the gross income of the paying parent. This encompasses all sources of income, such as wages, salaries, tips, bonuses, commissions, and even self-employment income.
Subsequently, the paying parent’s adjusted gross income must be calculated. Adjusted gross income refers to the gross income after certain deductions, such as federal, state, and local taxes, social security taxes, health insurance premiums, and mandatory retirement contributions have been taken into account.
Evaluating Income Percentages
Once the adjusted gross income has been calculated, the child support obligation of the non-custodial parent is determined based on their income percentages. This can be found within the chart provided in Kentucky’s child support guidelines. For instance, if the non-custodial parent has one child, they are obligated to provide 20% of their adjusted gross income towards child support. This percentage progressively increases as the number of children increases.
Influential Factors in the Child Support Calculation
While the basic child support obligation relies on a specific formula, there are additional factors that can come into play when determining child support payments.
Extraordinary Medical Expenses
Extraordinary medical expenses are typically not included in the basic child support obligation. However, situations may arise where a child has special medical needs, prompting the court to require the paying parent to contribute a portion of those expenses.
Childcare Expenses
Childcare expenses can also be taken into consideration when calculating child support payments. If the custodial parent works or attends school, the non-custodial parent may be obligated to contribute towards a portion of the cost of childcare.
Education Expenses
In specific cases where the court deems it in the best interest of the child, education expenses such as private school tuition and fees may be included within the child support obligation.
Imputed Income
Should the non-custodial parent be either unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income to them based on their potential earnings. In other words, child support payments may be calculated based on the amount that the parent is capable of earning, rather than their actual income.
In Conclusion
Navigating the process of calculating child support payments can undoubtedly be complex. However, it serves as a crucial step in ensuring that children receive the financial support they need. The Kentucky child support guidelines provide a fair and equitable approach to determining child support obligations, considering both the parents’ income and the number of children involved. It is essential for both parents to have a comprehensive understanding of the various factors that may impact child support payments, as this allows them to make informed decisions concerning the financial well-being of their children.