In divorces that involve children, child support is common. Despite how common it is for one parent to receive child support, there are a lot of misconceptions about it. When it comes to child support, parents are supposed to follow the court order. Sometimes a parent may believe there are exceptions and can find themselves in trouble for it. Here are some of those myths.
Parents Can Withhold Child Support
Parents can never withhold child support. For instance, some parents may believe that if they make other purchases for their kids, they do not have to pay child support. Parents do not usually receive credits for purchases made when they also have to pay child support. There are exceptions, of course. If you have an agreement with the other parent and he or she vouches for you with the courts, you may get a lower order for supplying other necessities.
Parents Never Pay Support for Adult Children
There is a misconception that child support cuts off as soon as a child turns 18. In reality, child support may continue past the child’s 18th birthday. Some children may not be able to care for themselves. For children with certain disabilities, a parent may have to pay child support long after the child turns 18. In some cases, a parent may even have to pay child support while he or she attends college.
Parents Can Reduce Payments Through Lesser Earnings
A common belief is that a parent can choose a lower-paying job to reduce his or her child support payment. If the courts are presented with evidence that the parent has higher earning potential, then the courts can order child support based on what the parent could be earning. The courts do not have to order child support based on actual earnings.
Parents Can Agree Not to Pay Child Support
Some parents try to keep the child support agreement between themselves. One parent may get the other one to agree that he or she doesn’t have to pay child support at all. Child support cannot be waived by any of the adults in the relationship. The court can still order the parent to pay child support.
When it comes to child support, there are a lot of myths. To understand the truth and to ensure that you do not make any errors in a child support case, it is important to know what is true and what isn’t. For help with your child support case, consult with a lawyer, like a child support lawyer in Gig Harbor, WA from Robinson & Hadeed Family Law, today.