Should a married couple with minor children seek a divorce or a legal separation the child or children will go with one or the other parent, this parent is referred to as the “custodial” parent. The other parent is responsible for providing financial support to the custodial parent for the support of the children. There are no fixed rules as to what this is as every situation is a little different but speaking generally, child support in Pottstown, PA is paid by the father who does not live or provide custodial care for the children. Of course it is not always the mother who is the custodial parent, there are many instances of the father getting custody over the children after the divorce; in this case it is the mother who pays child support. In rare cases the children may not go with either parent, in situations such as this both parents are obliged to pay child support to a third party.
The custodial parent is considered to be the primary care giver; this parent is given financial support which is used for the care and general welfare of the children. The money that is deemed child support is used to meet the costs of raising the children; these costs include education, health care, clothing and food as well as incidental expenses that the children can use for their selves for such things as entertainment. Although many parents can work out an equitable arrangement between themselves just as many arrangements are ordered by the court.
In any divorce where there are minor children there will be a custodial parent or a third party that assumes responsibility for raising and caring for the needs of the children. There are some courts that are of the opinion that both biological parents need to share in the monetary responsibility. The amount of money that each parent is ordered to contribute is often based on the gross income of the parents should both be gainfully employed.
Child support in Pottstown, PA normally continues until the child has reached 21 years of age. There are certain situations where the term might be either extended or decreased. A typical example of biological age not being the criteria would be that an agreement was made as part of the original divorce proceedings that stated the non custodial parent would continue with the mandated child support payments until such time as the child graduated university.
If a couple seeks a divorce settlement and there are minor children involved one or the other parent will be granted custody while the other will be held responsible for child support in Pottstown, PA.
