How to Deal with Joint Custody Child Support in a Divorce

How to Deal with Joint Custody Child Support in a Divorce

Divorce is a challenging and emotionally draining journey. It will seem as if the entire world is turning against you. Nothing makes sense to you during this phase.

“Divorce is even more challenging when children are involved. As you try to navigate your future and cut yourself off from someone you no longer love, you must think of what will become of your children. A responsible parent will prioritize the interests of their children during divorce proceedings,” says family law attorney Galit Moskowitz of Moskowitz Law Group, LLC.

This article discusses how to handle the legal complexities of joint custody child support in divorce:

What Joint Custody Entails

Joint custody entails that you and your spouse share responsibility for deciding your child’s future. You decide to work collaboratively for the child’s ultimate good even when your love has turned sour. 

Joint legal and physical custody are two types of custody. The former entails jointly deciding for the child. You and your spouse must collaboratively decide the school your child will attend and the healthcare facility where they will be registered. 

However, joint physical custody entails the time you and your estranged partner share with the child. For instance, the court may order that the child stay with you during the week while they spend the weekend with your ex. It may also be on a 50-50 basis, depending on what the court considers to be in the child’s best interests. 

The Issue with Child Support

Child support is a pecuniary deal where one parent offers financial help to the other to care for their child. For instance, your ex-spouse may offer you child support to meet your child’s needs. However, it is always difficult to decide on appropriate child support in a joint custody situation. 

If you find yourself in this fix, you must foster a harmonious co-parenting relationship with your ex for the sake of the child. You must agree to overlook your differences and establish a fair system for child support. The factors that should guide your decision include earnings, bills, and the child’s interests.

Before the court can decide on child support in joint custody, it will consider the child’s needs, the time the child spends with each party, and each parent’s earnings. It will combine these three factors to arrive at a fair amount. 

Looking Beyond the Numbers

When deciding on child support, looking beyond time and money is essential. Specifically, you must pay special attention to educational costs, healthcare bills, and the child’s needs. 

Limiting the issue to time and finances is too shallow and will not prioritize the child’s best interests. Before deciding on child support, you must ask yourself if you have captured all the child’s needs. Do they require therapy or any out-of-pocket expenses? 

It is unfair to leave the child stranded because you and your partner decided to part ways. You must make all resources available for the child’s well-being. 

After the court decides on child support, both parties must commit to implementation. The generic rule is that the highest-earning parent pays the other one. However, no two cases are the same.

The court may order both parents to contribute to the child support based on the prevailing circumstances. 

Accommodate the Changes

Being rigid about child support may not be in your child’s best interests. If there is a sudden twist of events and you need to step in, do not shy away from your responsibility. For instance, if your ex suddenly loses their job, making it difficult for them to meet up with the child support, you must step up and cater to the child’s needs. 

Similarly, if you earn a promotion at work with substantial financial backing, you can consider increasing the child support. Upwardly reviewing the support plan will improve the child’s well-being. 

It is also logical to consider economic realities in your decisions. For instance, a high rate of inflation will negatively impair monetary value. Based on these realities, you can consider reviewing the support plan.

Work Together for the Sake of the Child

You cannot be bitter forever. You need to let go and embrace the new challenges that come after the divorce. Co-parenting can be hard if you still feel disgruntled toward your ex-partner. 

Be courteous with your ex when discussing child support and other issues relating to the child. Prioritize your child’s well-being and happiness instead of revenge on your ex. When you maintain open and respectful communication, you promote the child’s best interests.

Conclusion

You need a local family law attorney to help you with child support issues. If you still feel emotionally disenchanted with your ex-lover, allow a legal representative to do an excellent job on custody and child support. 

A reputable family law attorney knows the factors to consider in negotiating child support. They will prioritize what matters and prevent you from bearing all the burden of the child.