Can I lower my child support if I have other children?

Asked by: Rowena Jerde  |  Last update: April 9, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (48 votes)

After a divorce, if you remarry and have another child with your new spouse, your child support obligations may decrease. This requires a legal modification of your support plan. The court takes into consideration several factors when adjusting payments.

Can you get your child support lowered if you have another child?

Yes, it's possible to have child support lowered if the paying party has another family. This is done because a new child influences your financial recourses. You'd have to petition to the court to have your child support lowered though. You can't just stop paying.

What is the minimum child support in Hawaii?

The Guidelines set a minimum child support amount of $91.00 per child per month.

Does having another child affect custody?

For instance, one parent remarrying or having more children could constitute a 'material change,' depending on how it impacts the child. The focus is consistently on what's in the child's best interest, and any adjustment to the custody arrangement must reflect a pursuit of this principle.

Does child support take into account other dependents?

Most state guidelines consider the needs of the child, other dependents, and the ability of the parents to pay. States must use the guidelines unless they can be shown to be inappropriate in a particular case. Federal law requires every child support order to include a provision for health care coverage.

How to Pay Less Child Support #childsupport

40 related questions found

What is the most money child support can take?

A: The most money child support can take in California is up to 60% of a person's wages if they are only responsible for one child. If they are responsible for two or more children, then up to 50% of their wages can be garnished. Wage garnishment can sometimes be mandated by a court order.

Does child support go down if the father has another baby in PA?

No. But a new child can be a consideration. Pennsylvania law is very proactive in dealing with child support, and it directly addresses this issue. In looking at a parent's support modification request based on a "new family," the court will consider the parent's total child support obligation.

What happens to my child support if my ex has another child?

If the non-custodial parent remarries and has additional children, then the court could modify that parent's child support payments. For example, a court may decrease obligations to one child so that a parent can also provide for a subsequent child from a new marriage.

What is the biggest mistake in custody battle?

The Most Common Mistakes Made in California Child Custody Cases. Failing to respond to a child custody case will not make the issue go away. Instead, it could lead to a default judgment. This means that whatever the other party is requesting will most likely be granted by the judge because you have not given any input.

Do I have a right to know who my ex brings around my child?

You may be wondering if you have the right to know who your ex is bringing around your child. In general, no. The other parent can decide who is around your child when they have custody without your input. You typically cannot tell your ex that they need to prohibit certain people from hanging around your child.

Does a man have to pay child support if he has 10 kids?

"Nowhere in the world would you get a pass on child support if it is proven to be your child. You have a legal obligation no matter where you are, no matter how many children you have," she adds.

How does Hawaii determine child support?

Hawaii uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support. This model is based on the idea that a child should receive the same proportion of parental income as they would if the parents were still together.

At what age does child support stop in Hawaii?

What Age Does Child Support Stop In Hawaii? In Hawaii, the paying parent is required to support his or her children until the age of 18. However, the age limit may be extended to 23 if the child is enrolled full-time in an accredited college/university or in a vocational/trade school.

How to not pay more child support?

These are some of the circumstances and actions that may justify you, as the paying parent, to reduce the amount of support owed.
  1. - Loss of income. ...
  2. - Disability, health problems or incarceration. ...
  3. - Support owed to other children. ...
  4. - Increasing parenting time. ...
  5. - Providing health insurance. ...
  6. - Reducing daycare costs.

Does child support increase with age?

Technically, child support obligations do not automatically increase or decrease in regards to a child's age. However, there are extenuating circumstances that would warrant a reduction in monthly payments owed by the non-custodial parent.

How to win a child support modification case?

Work with your lawyer to persuade the court how the change will benefit the child: Prepare to demonstrate to the judge how your proposed modification to child support benefits your child. Usually, a change on its own won't suffice to justify a modification in child support.

What not to say in child support court?

Don't Bash The Other Parent

Even if what you are saying is true, it is best to allow the courts to discover any undue behaviors on the part of parents during child custody hearings. Also, while refraining from making true claims about the other parent, it is not a good idea to make false defamatory claims against them.

What looks bad in family court?

Bad-mouthing your ex-spouse or engaging in verbal or physical altercations with them in front of a judge looks bad. If your children are present, it looks even worse. Judges understand that tempers run high during custody cases, but lack of self-control will not reflect favorably.

Who wins custody more often?

Who is most likely to get custody of a child? Traditionally, courts have often favored the mother, especially for young children.

What is the new child support law in 2024 in California?

Effective January 1, 2024, the bill repeals provisions for expedited support orders. This change simplifies the process, potentially reducing confusion and legal complexities for parents. As a result, families in San Diego may find the initial stages of establishing child support less rushed and more thorough.

Who gets more child support, the first child or the second?

The second child would recieve an amount based upon what's left after paying the first child support order. In others the amount of child support is figured out based upon the number of children & that amount is divided between the two children.

Can I sue my ex for child support?

Yes, you can sue for child support.

Does your spouse's income count for child support?

Under California law, for the most part, a new spouse's income is not used in the calculation for child support. It may only be considered when not doing so would cause extreme and severe hardship to the child involved. Usually, the calculation is made strictly using the parents' gross income.

Can a father give up his rights to avoid child support in PA?

Parents may not relinquish their rights simply to avoid paying financial support or providing care—unless someone else is going to care for and support the child, the court may find that termination is not in the child's best interests.

Does marriage change child support?

In California, there is rarely any change in a child support arrangement when either parent remarries, since the guiding philosophy is that both biological parents carry an obligation to care for the needs of their child.