When parents divorce, the typical custody arrangement is that a child will live primarily with one parent, while the other parent has visitation rights. In such situations, it may be appropriate for the non-custodial parent to provide a portion of his or her income as child support so he or she can share child care costs equally with the custodial parent.
Georgia-raised rap artist Ludacris was recently ordered by a court to pay $7,000 per month for support of his recently born daughter. The mother of his daughter filed an action to receive the child support, initially requesting $15,000 per month. Ludacris sought to have the amount maximized at $1,800 per month, claiming that he was unable to afford anymore. He told the court that he only earned $55,000 total last year, and that his cash flow is limited due to the stalled production of the new Fast and Furious movie, in which Ludacris will be acting. The court instead ordered the $7,000 per month award temporarily until it is able to better assess the finances in question.
Child support is a means for both parents of a child to share in the costs of raising a child regardless of the custody arrangement between the parents. Through these arrangements, the non-custodial parent has to pay child support to the custodial parent if it is deemed necessary under the circumstances. Each state has its own laws governing the awarding of child support. In Georgia, the shared income approach is utilized. Under this method, the incomes of both parents are taken into account, as well as daycare and health insurance costs and other factors. After considering each of these factors, a rate table is used to determine the appropriate amount of child support to be paid, if any.
Child support is important as it prevents the custodial parent from having to shoulder the majority of the costs associated with raising a child. The court should assess all of the necessary factors to determine whether child support is appropriate and, if so, in what amount. A family law attorney can assist a parent through the child support determination process by either arguing for an appropriate amount or seeking to modify an already determined amount.
Source: Houston Forward Times, "Ludacris Ordered to Pay $7000/Month to Baby Mama After Crying Broke," Mar. 2, 2014