Who pays child support for 50 50 custody in PA?

Asked by: Christa Rosenbaum  |  Last update: September 1, 2025
Score: 5/5 (45 votes)

However, in Pennsylvania, an equal sharing of child custody does not eliminate the need to pay child support. In these situations, the higher-earning parent usually pays child support to the lesser-earning parent for the child's care.

Do you have to pay child support in PA if you have 50 50 custody?

When custody is shared equally, meaning a 50/50 custody arrangement, it does not automatically eliminate the obligation to pay child support. Under Pennsylvania law, child support is calculated using guidelines that consider the combined net income of both parents and the number of children involved.

Do you have to pay child support for 50/50 custody?

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.

Who claims a child with 50/50 custody in PA?

In situations where there is no agreement between the parents, the parent with physical custody for the majority of the year generally has the right to claim the child as a dependent. In cases where physical custody is evenly split, the parent with the higher income is entitled to claim the child as a dependent.

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.

Does a Father Pay Child Support With 50/50 Custody?

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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.

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.

Which parent claims the child on taxes?

You can claim a child as a dependent if he or she is your qualifying child. Generally, the child is the qualifying child of the custodial parent. The custodial parent is the parent with whom the child lived for the longer period of time during the year.

How much is child support for one kid in PA?

According to Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1910.16-3 if they have 1 child the base support per month for the parents combined is $993. From there the parties share of income determines their share of support.

What age can a child choose which parent to live with in Pennsylvania?

There is no minimum age which prompts a Pennsylvania judge to say that a child's wishes will or won't be considered. Rather, PA custody law clearly specifies that a child's custodial preference must be well-reasoned and based on maturity and judgment.

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 states have the best father's rights?

Among the best states for fathers are also: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin, which also tend to give fathers 50 percent custody.

Is 50 50 custody easy to get?

With 50/50 physical custody, each parent spends an equal amount of time with the child. Since this arrangement requires a lot of cooperation between parents, judges won't approve it unless they believe it will work and is in the child's best interest.

What not to say at a child support hearing?

While it might be tempting to make defamatory statements about your child's other parent, it is not advisable to do so. 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.

Do you have to pay child support if you have 50/50 custody in Illinois?

Even when parents have 50/50 parenting time, the court can order either party to pay child support. Child support depends on how much each party makes and the amount of time each party has with the child.

How much do most dads pay in child support?

The average child support payment in California comes in at around $500 per month. Other estimates put the number at around $425 on the low end and approximately $800 for a high average. Of course, these numbers are just a rough estimate of what the average person pays monthly for child support.

Does PA consider both parents' income for child support?

The support guidelines set forth the amount of support which a spouse or parent should pay on the basis of both parties' net monthly incomes as defined in Rule 1910.16-2 and the number of persons being supported.

How to get 50/50 custody in PA?

Legal Requirements for 50/50 Custody in Pennsylvania

While there is no presumption for a 50/50 custody arrangement, it can be awarded by a court or included in a negotiated settlement agreement. However, a court must determine a 50/50 custody schedule is in the child's best interest.

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.

Is it better not to claim a child as a dependent?

Cons of claiming your child as a dependent

If your child is a student, they probably have an income that's low enough for them to qualify for education credits, and it's very likely that those credits would amount to more savings for them than the Child Tax Credit would for you if you claimed them as a dependent.

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 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.

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.