Divorce is an emotionally trying process, especially for kids. In the middle of big changes like new homes and getting used to their parents no longer being together, children deserve at least some sense of stability. Minnesota child support laws make sure that both parents are contributing to the financial stability of their child. Here is what divorcing parents should know.
In Minnesota, a child has a legal right to emotional and financial support from both of his or her parents. The shared responsibility of that support is fairly obvious in families with married parents. Child support — or money that one parent pays to the other — is how a child’s financial support is protected when his or her parents are divorced.
Figuring out the correct amount of child support can be complicated, though. Like other states, Minnesota has its own guidelines that judges follow. This includes considering each parents’ percentage of their combined income, how many children they share and parenting time. It is important to understand that income is more than just a paycheck, it is also from any other source that provides revenue.
The final amount of child support should reflect the same portion of parental income that would go to a child if his or her parents were still married or living together. Most parents understand just how important this support is and are ready to make payments without problem. Unfortunately, some parents fight against fulfilling their parental obligations, so it might be helpful to have someone who understands the complexity of family law on one’s side.
