Support

Gillespie, Shields & Associates

In the state of Arizona, child support matters are governed by the rules of the Income Sharing Model.  The Income Sharing Model was created years ago by the Child Support Guidelines Project of the National Center for State Courts.  This model was developed to ensure that children receive the financial support they need in the event of a divorce or break up.  The model approximates child support payments based upon what a parent would contribute financially for his/her child if both parents lived together.  Each parent is held accountable for contributing a portion of income that the courts feels is fair.

When people become parents, they are automatically held responsible for ensuring that their children’s basic needs are met.  Even when parents decide to go their separate ways, the needs of the children they share must continue to be met by both the mother and father.  The state of Arizona is very strict when it comes to holding parents accountable for supporting their children, which is one of the reasons the Income Sharing Model was created.  The model serves several purposes:

• it establishes a standard of support that each parent must contribute for his/her child
• it makes support orders consistent for parents that are in similar situations
• it gives both the family courts and parents a guide for establishing total support payments
• it ensures that parents are in compliance with state laws

The Income Sharing Model applies to children that were born during a marriage, outside of a marriage and that were adopted.  Usually, the parent that has custody of the children will be awarded support, which the non-custodial parent will have to pay each month.  Support payments are made to provide for things like the child’s food, clothing, housing and schooling and are made until the child reaches the legal adult age.

Arizona Family Lawyers

Helping Clients in Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler & Gilbert

If you are looking for an empathetic Phoenix divorce attorney who handles support cases, do not hesitate to contact Gillespie, Shields & Associates today!