Understanding Child Support vs Spousal Support

What’s the main difference between child support and spousal support in Oklahoma? I’ll answer that for you. I’m attorney Clint Hastings. I focus on father’s rights here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I get this question a lot, a lot of times because I’ve taken over a case for another attorney and the client is bewildered on why they’re paying alimony or spousal support and child support.

Well, there are two different things. Child support is done based on a calculation using the parties’ incomes and how much should go towards the support and maintenance of the children. Spousal support is where your spouse needs some additional income to get back on their feet and become self-supportive after a divorce. You would not have spousal support in a paternity case, only in a divorce case, or a separation case, where you do a legal separation. So it’s based on two entirely different things.

Clarifying the Terms

There are different reasons why it’s implemented and how it is calculated. The main thing to understand is that you may hear the term support by attorneys, even the judge, and sometimes they’re talking about spousal support and sometimes child support. You need to be aware there are differences and ask your attorney about those differences and make sure you understand.

Look at our site. Let me know if you have other questions and I’ll try to make a video.

Contact Us Now for a Low-Cost Consultation

If you need further clarification on child support or spousal support laws in Oklahoma or have any other family law questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. Call us now at 918-962-0900 for a low-cost consultation. We’re here to help you navigate through these challenging legal matters.