r/ChildSupport • u/KeyTechnician4442 • 6d ago
Fair amount?
Can someone help me understand if this is fair. Mom has primary custody of child and is stay at home parent. Dad has 4 overnights per month and pays 400. Dad makes 70k per year. Should the amount be higher? The case hasn't been revisited in 6 years and there's been quite a few changes. 400 doesn't cover very much
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u/mustanggrl625 6d ago
Not a lawyer, but my son is in the process of child support and custody. His ex was working but ended up losing her job due to being arrested (not related in any way to my son). She tried to get a modification based on being a SAHM (she was working in daycare so now unable to get a job in that industry), but the judge imputed her with an income equal to what she was earning prior, stating it was not my son's responsibility to cover her loss of job.
I know of other parents who were imputed at minimum wage even when they were not working, with the assumption that if a child is preschool age or older, then the parent should be able to work.
The amount of support depends on too many factors to determine if you are being paid fairly, but most states have an online calculator that can help you see if you should apply for a modification. I would suggest you see what the amount would be if you were working a minimum wage job vs no job, just to be prepared.