For divorcing couples in Illinois who have had children together, the idea of continuing to raise their children without a martial relationship can be exceptionally stressful and difficult to balance. Often, parents may be required to make child support payments to contribute to the financial necessity of raising their children and all of the costs associated with each child’s schooling and extra-curricular activities.
According to Money Crashers, child support is often paid by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent. While the person making payments cannot include their obligation in his or her tax filing, the person receiving the payments is not taxed at all. These payments are usually made until the child matures to adulthood. In some cases, couples may decide to void one parent’s financial obligations if the child is adopted by the remarried parent and his or her spouse, or if the custodial parent decides that the non-custodial parent does not need to contribute to the child’s financial needs.
Child support payments may be calculated differently depending on where a person lives, his or her financial situation and other determining factors. According to Live About, some of the considerations that courts take when calculating payments may include things like a child’s healthcare needs, required provisions for the child and any unique needs the child may have. Courts also analyze the income of both parents and the ability of each parent to independently provide for him or herself. Sometimes, courts will assess how a child lived before his or her parents divorce, and how that standard of living has changed because the parent’ separated.
