Manhattan Child Support Lawyers

Expert Child Support Representation in Riley, Geary, Wabaunsee, and Pottawatomie Counties

Child support is an important matter you and the other parent have to settle upon divorce. By law, both parents must financially support their children, and Kansas implements a child support guideline that calculates a base amount of support based on both parents’ gross incomes. Our family law attorneys at CJI Law can guide you through the child support calculation process to ensure a fair amount is being ordered, whether you are the receiving parent or the paying parent. We will communicate consistently and honestly with you every step of the way and work towards an agreement that is favorable to you.

Do you have concerns about your child support matter? Call CJI Law today at (785) 434-3005 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our child support attorneys in Manhattan, KS.

Understanding Child Support Responsibilities in Kansas

While both parents have the responsibility of financially supporting their children after divorce, the parent who does not have primary residential custody of the children makes actual child support payments. This is because the primary custodial parent is presumed to be spending the required amount in the care of the child.

Duration of Child Support Payments in Kansas

Child support payments usually last until the children turn 18 years old or 19 years old if the child is still in high school. The final child support order may specify how the paying parent is expected to provide the money, or it may leave the order open-ended. In any case, both parents must obey the order, otherwise, you can file a motion to enforce the order with the court.

Calculating Child Support According to Kansas Guidelines

Kansas’ child support guidelines calculate the basic amount of child support based on both parents’ adjusted gross incomes from the past 3 years. In the context of child support calculations, income is all earned and unearned income during a calendar year, including your:

• salary;
• wages;
• commissions;
• overtime pay; 
• bonuses; 
• royalties; 
• tips; 
• rent;
• dividends; 
• severance pay; and 
• military pensions.

A court may impute or assign an income value to the noncustodial parent if it appears that the parent voluntarily works less or not at all for the purposes of avoiding the child support obligation. 

Appropriate deductions for items like spousal support, union dues, and state and federal income taxes should then be deducted from both parent's gross income to obtain the final adjusted gross income for determining child support based on the amounts listed in the guidelines.

It is possible to ask the judge to adjust the amount of support determined by the guidelines based on reasons affecting the child’s well-being, such as the child’s special needs, their extraordinary expenses, income tax considerations, and the parents' overall financial condition.  

Contact our child support attorneys in Manhattan today to learn more about how CJI Law can help you.