Child support is a parent’s court-ordered payment to help with the costs of raising a child. Usually, these payments are from one parent to the other. The person who has custody of the children the majority of the time (the “custodial parent”) typically receives child support from the parent who provides less care (the “non-custodial parent”).
In Pennsylvania, a child support obligation normally lasts until the child turns 18 years old. It can, however, continue past that age if the child is still in high school or has certain physical or mental conditions that require extra support. On the other hand, when a child becomes emancipated, the benefits are terminated.
Support obligations are determined primarily by the number of children who need support and the income of both parents. Within those parameters, there is some flexibility to consider the child’s reasonable needs, the paying parent’s ability to provide support, and particular custody arrangements.
Pennsylvania child support is based upon the state’s Child Support Guidelines. These guidelines are a product of a mathematical formula created by the Pennsylvania Domestic Relations Rule Committee and subsequently proposed/enacted by the Pennsylvania legislature. The guidelines are reviewed every four years, often resulting in changes to parties’ support awards and obligations. In most, but not all cases, the changes result in the recipient receiving more support than under the previous guidelines.
2022 support changes
Most of the 2022 adjustments to the guidelines result in only minimal increases in the amount of support. However, some parties can experience a larger increase depending on their respective income levels.
By way of example, for parents whose combined net monthly income is between $4,000 and $10,000, there is a 10% increase for one child and less than a 15% change for more than one child. For families whose combined net monthly incomes exceed $30,000, the increase can be more than 25%, but there may be a much smaller increase for families with more than one child. High-income cases have child support calculated based on the three-step process comprised of:
- A temporary support set
- Adjustments based on custody
- A final analysis and determination
A support modification is not automatically granted by the Pennsylvania courts when the guidelines are revised. Instead, a parent must file a support modification petition in order to obtain a new support order.
A judge could deviate from the guidelines, decreasing or increasing the amount of child support based on a number of factors including:
- the best interests of the child
- the relative assets and liabilities of the parents
- medical expenses not covered by insurance
- unusual needs and unusual fixed obligations
- other support obligations
- other household income
- the child’s age
- the relative assets and liabilities of the parents
- standard of living
In addition, a court can modify a child support order if either parent experiences a material and substantial change in circumstances (e.g., a parent loses a job, has a new baby, or relocates internationally).
As you can see, changes in child support guidelines can present some complex issues as well as substantial financial consequences.
To speak with a knowledgeable family law attorney, call the Comitz Law Firm at 570-829-1111 or email info@comitzlaw.com.