Do I have to pay child support if I have my child 50/50?

Asked by: Hazle Bogisich  |  Last update: November 28, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (41 votes)

Even with 50/50 physical custody, the judge can order one, both, or neither parent to pay support. In a 50/50 shared custody arrangement, usually the parent with the higher income pays child support to the other, although usually not nearly as much support as would be paid in a non 50/50 situation.

Does 50/50 custody pay child support?

It seems logical that if your custody is shared, you each cover costs for the child when the child is with you. However, in California, custody and child support are two separate components, and one parent may be required to pay child support to the other even in a 50/50 arrangement.

What is the minimum child support in Hawaii?

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

What are the disadvantages of 50/50 custody?

Challenges of 50/50 Custody
  • Potential for Increased Conflict: If the parents have a contentious relationship, the frequent exchanges required in a 50/50 custody arrangement can lead to increased conflict. ...
  • Instability and Disruption: For some children, moving between two homes regularly can feel unstable and disruptive.

When you have 50/50 custody, who claims the child on taxes?

The one with 183 overnights is the parent who is entitled to federal and state tax deductions and exemptions. Under the IRS' regulations, there is no such thing as “dual-custodial parents” when you have equal or joint custody. Therefore, one or the other parent must claim the tax benefits, but not both.

Why Do I Have To Pay Child Support If I Have 50/50 Custody!

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Should I pay child support if I have 50 50 custody?

Even if the parents are dividing physical custody down the middle, a judge may order the higher-earning parent to pay child support. You may have to pay child support even with a 50/50 custody agreement if you are the higher-earning parent.

What happens if two parents claim the same child on their taxes?

If the parents don't file a joint return together but both parents claim the child as a qualifying child, the IRS will treat the child as the qualifying child of the parent with whom the child lived for the longer period in 2023.

What type of custody is best for a child?

The recent trend has been to favor joint or shared physical custody—allowing children to spend significant amounts of time with both of their parents. Judges (and legislatures) have been swayed by consistent research findings that children fare better after divorce under shared parenting arrangements.

How can I prevent my father from getting 50 50 custody?

The situations that could prevent a parent from gaining shared legal custody are similar to the situations that could prevent them from gaining shared physical custody.
  1. Ongoing drug or alcohol abuse.
  2. Child abuse or neglect.
  3. Domestic violence.
  4. Mental health issues.
  5. Jail time.
  6. Relocation.

What is the difference between full custody and 50 50?

The Basics of 50/50 Custody

This means the child spends an equal amount of time living with each parent. Unlike traditional custody setups where one parent has sole custody and is often designated as the custodial parent, in a 50/50 arrangement, both parents share responsibilities and time with the child equally.

How much child support will I pay if I make $1000 a week?

Using a standard calculation, an individual earning $1,000 a week might pay around $250 per month for one child, though this figure can vary significantly based on specific circumstances and local county guidelines.

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.

Why would a judge deny 50 50 custody?

Differences in parents' style of attachment to children contribute to the inadequacy of 50/50 custody plans. Parental personality differences influence ability to give emotional nurturance to children. Courts often fail to alter 50/50 custody arrangements when circumstances beg for a change.

How to not get child support?

The best course of action is to ask the court for an order modification (more below). The only guaranteed ways for support to end are if parents get back together or the child becomes legally independent based on age (usually 18) or via emancipation, marriage or joining the military.

Do you get more child support if you have full custody?

Generally, sole physical custody is awarded to allow a child to live in one home most of the time, and continue to attend their local school. Where joint legal custody and sole physical custody exist together, the amount of child support due will not change.

What are the dangers of 50 50 custody?

Cons of equal shared parenting:

Frequent exchanges mean that parents have regular in-person contact, which can create conflict that negatively impacts children. Some children may struggle to adapt to frequently moving between homes.

Who claims children with 50 50 custody?

Under these rules, the parent who has physical custody of the child for the greater part of the year – defined as more than 50% of the nights – typically has the right to claim the child as a dependent for tax purposes.

Do men pay child support with 50 50 custody?

Can a parent still receive California child support when there is joint custody? Yes. The State of California believes that both parents have a duty to provide financial support to a child.

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.

What does a 70/30 split look like?

A 70/30 custody schedule essentially means that a child spends approximately 70% of their time with one parent and the remaining 30% with the other. This split aims at providing a stable and consistent routine for the child, while ensuring that both parents remain actively involved in their upbringing.

What is the healthiest custody arrangement for kids?

A 50/50 schedule helps kids to feel secure that both parents are fully involved and keeps them close and engaged with both of their parents, without ever feeling like a visitor in one parent's life.

Should the parent with higher income claim the child?

If the child lived with each parent for an equal number of nights, as is often the case of ex-spouses with joint custody, the custodial parent is the parent with the higher Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). Parents can also release their dependent claim to the other parent by completing Form 8332.

How does the IRS know who the custodial parent is?

How does the IRS know who the custodial parent is? For tax filing purposes, the custodial parent is the parent with whom the child lived for more than half the year. The residency test for qualifying children accounts for this requirement.

What is the $3600 child tax credit?

Specifically, the Child Tax Credit was revised in the following ways for 2021: The credit amount was increased for 2021. The American Rescue Plan increased the amount of the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 to $3,600 for qualifying children under age 6, and $3,000 for other qualifying children under age 18.