What is the new child support law in Ohio?
Asked by: Alexandrea Schneider III | Last update: January 25, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (61 votes)
Child support calculations are now based on both gross income and imputed income. Imputed income is the value of any services or benefits employers give employees. A new “self-sufficiency reserve” allows for some people whose income is below 116% of the federal poverty level to pay less in child support.
What is the Ohio law for child support?
Ohio law requires parents to support their children by paying for their child support until they reach the age of 18, or until they have graduated from high school. So, essentially, under state law, parental responsibilities end when the child graduates from high school or turns 18, whichever comes second.
Can child support be modified without going to court Ohio?
Process of Modifying Child Support
Filing a Request: To initiate a modification, a formal request must be filed with the court or through the local child support enforcement agency.
How far behind is child support in Ohio?
If someone fails to pay for 26 weeks over a two-year period, he/she can be found guilty of criminal non-support. This felony can result in up to five years in prison, plus fines.
How far behind in child support before a warrant is issued in Ohio?
Ohio law provides criminal penalties for parents who fail to pay support for more than 26 out of 104 weeks, or who owe "arrearages" (overdue child support payments) in excess of $5,000. Special prosecutors handle these matters, and extensive non-payment of support is considered a felony.
Ohio makes changes to child support law
How often is child support reviewed in Ohio?
A child support order can be reviewed every 36 months. The order can be reviewed sooner than 36 months if certain conditions are met. These conditions are usually related to changes in your financial situation that are beyond your control. Either parent can ask for a review of their child support order.
Can you drop child support in Ohio?
The CSEA can recommend terminating (ending) a child support order for the following reasons: The child is 18 and no longer attends an accredited high school full0time. The child previously reached the age of 18 and has graduated or is no longer attending an accredited high school on a full-time basis.
How often does child support get adjusted?
While the standard answer is that child support can be modified every three years, exceptions are made when there is a substantial change in circumstances. If you've experienced a significant change in your income or your child's needs, it may be worth exploring your options for an earlier modification.
How to not pay child support in Ohio?
Can Child Support Be Dropped in Ohio? A person who pays child support may not simply stop paying child support on their own initiative. A person must continue to pay court-ordered child support until the child at issue reaches the age of 18 or a court ends the child support obligation.
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.
Do you have to pay child support if you have 50 50 custody in Ohio?
In Ohio, 50/50 custody is generally a shared parenting concept. Child support is a responsibility of each parent, whether you have 50/50 time or the classic standard order of parenting time.
What is the biggest factor in calculating child support?
Parental Income
Both parents' gross income is a critical starting point. Income includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, rental income, dividends, unemployment benefits, and more. Courts also consider non-monetary perks like housing or vehicles provided by an employer.
What is the minimum child support order in Ohio?
The court or agency, in its discretion and in appropriate circumstances, may issue a minimum child support order of less than eighty dollars a month or issue an order not requiring the obligor to pay any child support amount.
Does dad have to pay child support with 50/50?
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.
Can parents agree to no child support in Ohio?
Even if you both agree that neither party should pay child support to the other in your shared parenting arrangement, you still must fill out a child support worksheet and a findings of fact for a deviation from the child support guidelines.
How is child support calculated in Ohio?
Once the net amount of income is determined, the parties' incomes are added together and each party's percentage to the total income is determined. This is the percentage of support each is responsible to provide a child.
Does child support go down if the father has another baby Ohio?
Even though your ex-spouse now has a second family, he/she still has a responsibility to your family. However, if he/she has any additional biological or adopted children with the new family, the amount of support that your ex-spouse pays for your child may be reduced.
Does Ohio have a cap on child support?
Previously, Ohio had a $150,000 cap on combined parental income, which was used to calculate child support. However, the new law updates this cap to reflect current economic conditions. That means that the income cap may be higher or lower than the previous limit depending on the economic situation.
Why does child support hold payments for 6 months?
The Department of the Treasury has encouraged states to hold collections from joint tax returns for up to six months in case the obligor's spouse who does not owe child support files for his or her share of the refund.
How far back does child support go in Ohio?
There are other states that do limit the time period. There is, in general, not an applicable statute of limitations for collecting back child support in the State of Ohio.
How much is a purge payment for child support?
The purge amount is in the judge's discretion. It can be anything all the way up to the entire amount you owe. In the meantime, try to pay the entire amount every month. If you can't pay the entire amount, then pay everything you can, even if it's just a few dollars.
How does child support work if parents live in different states?
For example, if the parent who's required to pay support moves from California to Colorado and falls behind in payments, the state of California has jurisdiction and the legal right to take action against that parent. If both parents move, the original issuing state can transfer its jurisdiction to that new location.