Determining Child Support: Factors & Formula
Hello, my name is Brian L. Jackson. I’m a Tulsa father’s rights attorney here with Dads.Law, where fathers are not disposable. Today, I want to talk about how child support is actually determined and how the court figures out how much, and who’s going to pay.
The major factors that come into play in child support calculations are who has the kids most of the time, also known as the primary physical custodian, and how many overnights each party has. Additionally, the income of each party is taken into consideration. These factors are plugged into a formula that will then spit out a number.
Factors Affecting Child Support Payments
Now, let’s dive deeper into the factors that affect child support payments. The greater the difference between incomes, the more that the person who’s ordered to pay is going to contribute. On the other hand, if the person earning more has a greater number of overnights with the children, their child support payment may be reduced.
There are other circumstances that can come into play when determining child support amounts. For example, if you have other children living in your household that you are legally responsible for, this can result in a reduction in child support. Additionally, if you are already paying child support for other children, this may also affect the calculation.
The cost of healthcare is another factor that is considered. If you have private health insurance for the children, the expenses related to it are deducted from the child support amount. On the other hand, if the children are on sooner care (Oklahoma’s Medicaid program), there may be an additional amount ordered in the form of cash medical, increasing the monthly payment.
Understanding Cash Medical and Its Purpose
It’s important to understand the concept of cash medical in child support cases. Cash medical is not money that belongs to the other parent; it belongs to the state of Oklahoma. It serves as reimbursement for the healthcare expenses covered by sooner care, and it should be paid directly to the state.
It’s crucial to pay cash medical to the right place because the Department of Human Services (DHS) is known for its aggressive enforcement of these orders. They take the non-payment of cash medical very seriously. So, it’s important to follow the correct procedures and make the payments as required by the court.
Contact Dads.Law for Assistance
If you have any questions regarding child support or are facing a child support order, I encourage you to reach out to Dads.Law. We understand the importance of fathers’ rights and are here to help you navigate through the process. Contact us today for a initial consultation and let us assist you in protecting your rights as a father.
