Child Support & Parenting Plans

Divorce can be a difficult time for parents and the children involved. The process of determining who has child custody and visitation rights can be long and confusing. If you are no longer with the other parent of your child you will need to determine how each person is going to be involved in the child’s life. After paternity is determined for the child it is important to look at child support options and parenting plans.

Care is a Two Way Street

Both parents are required to care for a child physically, emotionally, and financially. For a mother, parental duties begin after the baby has been born and the father’s responsibilities begin when the law recognizes a man as the legal father. If you do not wish to be physically and emotionally involved a child’s life, the law requires that you provide financial compensation for the child.

What is Child Support?

Child support happens after a separation and it is where a parent pays money to the person who is primarily taking care of their child, typically the other parent, to help support the child. Child support is used to provide children with basic needs, such as food, housing, clothes, medical care, and a safe place to live. The court will determine how much child support needs to be provided by the parent who is no longer the primary caretaker of the child. The amount is typically based on a number of financial considerations, including both parents’ incomes, which parent is paying for health insurance, the amount of time spent with each parent, and other factors. If you are interested in how much you may pay in South Carolina you can visit the Child Support Calculator that is provided by the South Carolina Department of Social Services. The calculator will help you determine your financial responsibility in case of separation.

What is a Parenting Plan?

A parenting plan is a legal court approved document that clearly outlines the relationship each parent will have with his or her child. The parenting plan typically includes matters related to primary custody, such as the amount of time spent with each parent. A parenting plan may need the input of both parents. If one parent disagrees with the parenting plan this may cause a court intervention in which there will be a trial.

Sarji Family Law Firm can respond to questions regarding both child custody and parenting plans. If you have questions regarding child custody laws, or need additional information, you can get in touch with a Charleston child custody lawyer and set up a consultation by contacting the Sarji Family Law Firm at 843-323-4341.

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