Child support is a legal obligation that parents have to support their children financially. When unmarried parents have a child together or married parents get divorced, the court may require one of the parents to pay child support to the other. Money from child support can be used to cover housing expenses, educational costs such as private school tuition, extracurricular fees, groceries, and everyday expenses. Whether you are planning to divorce soon or you are an unmarried parent, it is important to know your rights and responsibilities regarding child support.
How Is The Amount Of Child Support Determined In Illinois?
The amount of child support that a parent is required to pay is determined by the state's guidelines. These guidelines take into account the income of both parents, the number of children, and other factors. Income is determined by looking at the net income of both parents, which includes salary, wages, bonuses, commissions, and other forms of income. The guidelines also take into account any other children from a previous relationship that the parents are responsible for supporting.
What Happens If A Parent Does Not Pay Child Support?
If a parent does not pay child support, the other parent can take legal action to enforce the child support judgment. Penalties for failure to pay child support can include wage garnishment, seizure of tax refunds, suspension of driver's licenses and professional licenses, and even jail time.
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