CT Child Support Attorney

As a parent going through divorce, one of the most pressing things on your is ensuring their financial well-being of your children.  In Connecticut, child support is designed to ensure that children’s needs are met, regardless of the changes in their parents’ relationship. We’re here to guide you through the process with care, compassion, and clarity.

What is Child Support?

Child support is a financial contribution one parent makes to another to help cover the costs of raising a child.  It is generally paid weekly, and additional payments are due for healthcare and work-related childcare. Child support is intended to help maintain a child’s standard of living and ensure that their needs are met, no matter which parent they live with.

How is Child Support Determined in Connecticut?

Connecticut uses Child Support Guidelines (link here), which take into account both parents’ incomes and the specific needs of the child. The guidelines provide a formula for calculating an appropriate child support amount, factoring in:

• Both parents’ gross incomes
• Taxes paid by each parent
• Health insurance paid for by one of the parents
• The number of children
• Other special circumstances (such as special needs)

What Income is Used to Calculate Child Support in Connecticut?

Not everyone is a W-2 wage earner and simply identifying qualifying income to be included in the guidelines calculations can be complicaed.  Connecticut courts include a broad spectrum of income sources.  Some of the more common forms of income included are:

• Salary
• Hourly Wages
• Commissions, Bonuses, and Tips
• Profit sharing, deferred and incentive compensation, and severance pay
• Self-Employment Income 
• Investment and Passive Income 
• Benefits in place of earned income (Unemployment benefits, workers’ compensation, some Social Security benefits, etc.)
• Non-Monetary Employment Perks and Fringe Benefits
• Lottery and gambling winnings and regularly recurring gifts

You can see the complete list here (link to guidelines)

Will a Court Ever Award Child Support that is Different From the Guidelines?

Connecticut law acknowledges that no two families are the same, and that’s why courts have flexibility to deviate from the guidelines when necessary. Some common factors that may influence a deviation include:

• Extraordinary expenses for a child
• Parent’s other financial resources
• Extraordinary parental expenses
• Needs of parent’s other dependents
• Shared parenting arrangements where parent income is close to equal
• Coordination of total family support, including alimony and the division of assets and liabilities
• A significant difference between parental incomes
• High income or substantial assets of one or both parents

How Long Does Child Support Last?

Child Support in Connecticut lasts until the child turns 18, or 19 if they are still in high school. However,  a court may order support to the age of 26 for a child who has special needs.  By agreement parents can also agree to post-majority support after the children turn 18.

How Can You Modify Child Support?

Life is full of changes, and Connecticut law recognizes that child support orders may need to be modified to reflect those changes if they rise to the level of a substantial change in circumstances. Here’s what you need to know about modifying child support in Connecticut:

• Significant changes in income for either parent (increase or decrease)
• Change in the child’s needs, such as medical issues, education costs, or other expenses
• Change in custody or visitation arrangements that affects the financial obligations of either parent

Whether you are seeking an increase or decrease in child support, you must demonstrate that the circumstances warrant a modification.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can assist you with your child support needs.