When one parent is given sole custody, the other may or may not be given visitation rights. In either scenario, the non-custodial parent has to pay child support. This is not gender-biased — if the father is the custodial parent, the mother has to make child support payments.

As the primary caregiver, the parent who has sole custody has to take on full financial responsibility of the children. The non-custodial parent supports by giving a fixed amount of money every month to help pay for expenses related with raising the children.

This is a requirement of the non-custodial parent even in the scenario of not being given visitation rights.

Child support usually lasts until the child reaches adulthood or it can cease if the child enters military service or has been emancipated by the courts from the parents, which means the child has been legally declared an adult.

If the child has a disability (mental or physical), child support may be required beyond the age of maturity.

Unlike alimony, child support is not taxable and the parent receiving child support does not have to pay taxes on the income. It’s because child support is meant to replace the additional resources lost when the parents divorced.

Related posts:

1. Types of custody
2. Sharing custody Part 1: Factors determining custody award
3. Sharing custody Part 3: How to prepare for child custody mediation

Sphere: Related Content