Reader asks if they can get half of their partner’s income for child support

Yuma, AZ – Paying for children can be a large expense and a source of friction among parents. Child support can also become a serious financial obligation for parents who need to commit to the payments until their kids reach adulthood. 

Newsweek posted a story about a mother struggling to meet expenses and asking her child’s father for additional money [1].

Mother wonders if it is reasonable to ask for half of the father’s salary

The controversy began when the mother asked the father of her child to turn over half of his salary to her. The practicalities of him giving this much would also be more difficult due to the fact that the man is also helping to support another child from a different relationship. The initial response from her friends was that an amount so large was absurd, however, there are some very real concerns about being able to afford basic necessities. The prices of food and other staples have greatly increased due to inflation in the last two years. The woman in the story also said that she has been making less money since the pandemic began in 2020. 

The reporter consulted with an attorney to get advice about how the situation should be handled. He explained that it is common for parents to ask for more money to be handed over voluntarily for childcare expenses, and these kinds of informal agreements tend to be preferable to court ordered child support. However, if a parent is serious about getting more money and the other is reluctant to pay it out, they will need an order from a judge. 

Child support amounts

Child support amounts are mainly determined by the income of each parent and the total combined income of both parents. Parents are expected to set aside a reasonable amount of their wages for childcare expenses such as food, clothing, healthcare, and education. Arizona and other states use some kind of formula to determine what amount is appropriate based on the incomes, and deviations are only permitted if some kind of special circumstances dictate that a larger or smaller amount is necessary. It would be unlikely for a family court to order that a parent needs to provide half of their income to help pay for the expenses of one child. 

Child support attorneys in Yuma

Schneider and Onofry is available to help with family law issues such as divorce, custody hearings, child support, and alimony payments. Their attorneys have extensive experience in these matters and they can provide advice and representation throughout the course of any family law case. . 

USAttorneys.com is a service that works with people who are trying to find the right lawyers to solve their problems. Anyone who needs a referral to a licensed attorney in their city or state can call 800-672-3103 to get connected.

Firm contact info:

Schneider & Onofry, P.C.

207 W. 2nd St., Yuma AZ 85364

928-257-4887

soarizonalaw.com

Sources:

1. https://www.newsweek.com/mom-wants-half-partner-wages-child-support-1780218