Child Support Guidelines: Interpretation and Application

Child Support Guidelines, Second Edition is the only comprehensive guidebook for determining child support awards that takes practitioners step-by-step through the interpretation and application of the guidelines and their worksheets in both the normal and exceptional child support case. This unique publication thoroughly covers each state’s version of one of the three basic models for determining child support: the percentage of income model, the income shares model, and the Melson formula. Important issues affecting calculations are clearly explained, including:

Definition of andquot;incomeandquot; under the guidelines

The impact of divided custody, shared custody, split custody, and extended visitation

Second household expenses, other dependents, subsequent children, and stepchildren

Impact of a private contract on the court’s decision to apply the guideline amount

Deviation from the guidelines for a high income parent

Deviation from the guidelines to pay for medical expenses, private school, and child care expenses

Imputed income

Modification of prior awards

And more.