CHILD SUPPORT
Child support determinations in a divorce and/or paternity matter are based on the parenting time of the parents (usually overnights) and their respective gross incomes. The issues of the parties' responsibility for child care expenses and medical and dental expense are included in the work sheet which determines the respective obligations of the parties. If you would like to see what the worksheet looks like and maybe work through it, please go to the state department of human services website at http://childsupportcalculator.dhs.state.mn.us/.
The child support calculator can give significantly different results depending on the parties' respective parenting time, It is very important that the client discuss the issue of parenting time in addition to legal and physical custody with counsel before making a decision with respect to those issues.
In paternity actions, which arise because a child is born outside of marriage, child support will be calculated in accordance with the same child support guidelines. If the biological father has not signed a Recognition of Parentage, the birth mother or father will have to establish paternity before any parenting time can be awarded or child support ordered. If the parties have signed an Recognition of Parentage, child support and/or parenting time can be determined by the Court by motion and without having to determine parentage formally.