South Carolina Child Support Lawyer
“One size does not fit all” when it comes to calculating child support payments. With every child having unique needs, it is crucial that you have someone advocating on their behalf.
At Isaacs & Alley, LLC, we recognize that agreeing on terms such as child support can be difficult during a divorce. Rest assured that when you work with our South Carolina child support lawyer, you are working with someone who genuinely cares about your family. We make it our mission to fight for appropriate support payments to ensure that your child’s needs are met.
How is Child Support Calculated in South Carolina?
Child support in South Carolina is made by the noncustodial spouse to support a child or children. The amount that a parent will pay in child support is calculated based on his or her gross income.
Any of the following will be part of a gross income calculation:
- Salaries or income
- Commissions or bonuses
- Rents
- Dividends, interest, and trust income
- Severance pay
- Capital gains
- Pensions and annuities
- Social Security benefits (but not supplemental Social Security income)
- Workers’ compensation benefits
- Unemployment insurance benefits
- Veterans’ benefits
- Alimony (prior or current marriage)
What Factors Does the Court Consider in Determining Child Support Payments?
The child support guidelines can be used to calculate a monthly support payment when a family’s adjusted gross monthly income is between $750 and $30,000. The support guidelines are based on families that have one to six children. If the combined gross income is higher, then the court will have to calculate child support on a case-by-case basis.
The following factors may cause the court to deviate from the child support guidelines:
- A child’s educational expenses (for private or post-secondary schools when tuition is incurred)
- The equitable distribution of property between parents
- Consumer debts
- Families with more than six children
- Unreimbursed medical and dental expenses
- Mandatory deduction of retirement pensions and union fees
- If children earn significant income
- Income disparity between the parents
- Type of alimony agreement between parents
- Agreement reached between both parents
What is the Average Monthly Support Payment?
South Carolina’s child support guidelines provide a framework for determining estimated support payment amounts. For a family that makes a gross annual income of $90,000 with parents who have shared custody of their three children, the father would be ordered to pay $1,172.59 in monthly support payments.
Child support can be modified when there is a change in circumstances. Situations may include if the payor loses his or her job, is making significantly less, or has a medical condition or injury. However, a modification will only take effect from the date it was filed, it cannot be backdated to when the change in circumstance occurred.
What if My Former Spouse is Underemployed or Chooses Not to Work?
If a parent chooses to work less than full-time or to not work at all, this is referred to as voluntary underemployment or unemployment. Choosing not to bring in a stable income does not excuse a parent from paying child support. In this situation, a child support calculation would be based on the parent’s potential income.
Consult with Our South Carolina Child Support Lawyer Now
It is important that your child is cared for appropriately, even in the midst of divorce. If you are concerned about your child’s welfare, now is the time to speak with our South Carolina child support lawyer. To schedule your free case evaluation, contact us by calling 803-252-6323 ext. 109 or ext. 102 for Robin or by filling out our online form.