Understanding Illinois Child Support Rules
Determining child support arrangements is not always straightforward, especially if the parents cannot reach an agreement themselves. When your child’s well-being is at risk, it is important to seek the help of an experienced family law attorney.
At Caesar & Bender, LLP, our attorneys have decades of experience and are well-respected in Chicago’s family law community. We will make sure your rights, as either the provider or the receiver, are upheld during and after the divorce or separation. Most importantly, we will do everything possible to ensure that your child continues to live in a way that is best for his or her well-being.
What Is Child Support?
Child support is an ongoing payment from one parent to the other to financially support the children during and after the end of the parental relationship. In the event of divorce or separation, a child is legally afforded the right to receive the necessary monetary means from both parents to ensure that his or her overall well-being is maintained.
How Much Will Child Support Be?
In 2017, significant changes were made to Illinois child support law. Under the former law, child support was based on the noncustodial parent’s net income and the number of children involved. Now, child support in Illinois is determined using the “income shares” model. To determine guideline child support, the formula considers the net income of each parent, the number of children, and the number of overnights each parent is allocated to spend with the children. In certain circumstances, the court may deviate from the child support guidelines. To discuss the details of your specific situation, please schedule a consultation with the attorneys of Caesar & Bender, LLP.
Can Child Support Be Modified In Illinois?
Child support agreements and orders may be modified based on a substantial change in circumstances since the entry of the current support agreement. Child support agreements and orders can be modified if there has been a substantial change in circumstances. A substantial change in circumstance may be a considerable change in a parent’s financial situation (i.e. a decrease or increase in income or an involuntary loss of employment) or alterations of a child’s needs. However, the existence of the new child support law, effective in 2017, is not considered a substantial change in circumstance in and of itself and may not be used as the sole basis for modification of child support.
Contact Us For Guidance
It is important to have a skilled and experienced family lawyer, like those at Caesar & Bender, LLP, to help guide you through this difficult process. If you have concerns or questions regarding child support, contact Caesar & Bender, LLP today by calling 312-815-6141 or filling out our online form.