If the logistics of co-parenting weren’t complex enough, when one of the parents gets remarried, it could shake up the foundation of how the child support is handled. While the biological parents of the child typically have the responsibility of paying child support, a new spouse’s income can sometimes play a factor in changing the support amount. Modifying child support arrangements can be complicated, and it has to be done through the courts—if your child support arrangements are facing modifications, contact Dennis Stanford Law Office. We understand how complex these proceedings may be, and we will work to ensure that your rights are protected while you ensure that your child is being provided for.
Does Remarriage Affect Child Support Obligations?
Remarriage when you have child support doesn’t automatically modify your current child support arrangements. Ultimately, it is up to the courts to decide if a reasonable change needs to be made to the child support orders. Still, remarriage can impact your support agreements if they find a 15% more difference between the requested order and the existing circumstances.
Circumstances that may allow for a modification due to a significant variance:
- A change in the number of children that a parent is legally responsible for
- A change in a parent’s income
- A change in visitation
- A change in the child’s needs
The most important factor when it comes to child support arrangements is the best interests of the child. The courts will be able to look at whether changing the support amount is good for the child’s needs and overall well-being. Contact an experienced family and child support attorney to explore your legal options.
How Can a New Spouse's Income Impact Child Support?
Remarriage doesn’t obligate a new spouse to support their new stepchild, and the courts financially don’t factor in their income into the child support calculations. However, when a parent remarries, someone may ask for a review of the arrangements.
Examples of requests to modify child support:
- If the custodial parent remarries and their household income significantly increases, the non-custodial parent may seek a modification to reduce their support payments.
- If the non-custodial parent remarries and their household income significantly increases it could warrant a change in visitation and the support payments
- IIf a parent has a new child for whom they are legally responsible, Tennessee law makes such a change in circumstances a likely reason for the modification.
If you want to change your child support arrangements because of remarriage, the first step is to talk to an experienced child support and family attorney. A professional legal team can help guide you through the process of submitting the modification requests and explain your legal options. You will need to show that the proposed modifications will improve the child’s quality of life and will be in their best interests.
Other Factors Affecting Child Support After Remarriage
In Tennessee, courts rely on standard child support guidelines that calculate the amounts that are to be paid each month. These guidelines consider the parent's monthly incomes and the number of children involved.
Courts can also consider:
- Wages, commissions and tips
- Self-employment income
- Pensions and retirement plans
- Social security benefits
- Child care and health expenses
These circumstances allow the courts to effectively calculate the amount of child support that is needed to support the child. Remarriage can significantly change these circumstances, and while the non-custodial parent’s financial situation is the primary consideration when it comes to the calculation, remarriage has a domino effect regarding child support.
Other factors that may affect child support are:
- A parent’s high travel expenses to exercise visitation
- If the remarried parent stops working
- The non-custodial parent has a significant financial improvement
Significant financial improvement in a parent’s situation is the biggest motivator when it comes to requesting child support modifications. If the non-custodial parent moves into their new spouse’s home, that is paid off, or a lot of their debt is paid off, which could be grounds for a modification to be considered. If both biological parents earn too little to support the child, the new spouse’s income adequately is more likely to be considered into the calculations. Every family’s situation is unique, and with a skilled family attorney by your side, you can ensure that your child is provided for and everyone’s rights are equally considered.
When to Seek Legal Advice
At Dennis Stanford Law Office, we represent families seeking child support orders or modifications in Fort Campbell, Clarksville, and the surrounding areas. These cases can be complex, emotional, and high stakes. At our office, we work to ensure that you can pursue the best course of action for your family with compassionate representation. Contact us today to schedule a free and confidential consultation. You and your child deserve an attorney who you can trust to work tirelessly to resolve your matter as quickly and efficiently as possible. With our knowledge, experience, and dedication, we can help your family come to a modification that puts the child in the best place to succeed and thrive.
If the logistics of co-parenting weren’t complex enough, when one of the parents gets remarried, it could shake up the foundation of how the child support is handled. While the biological parents of the child typically have the responsibility of paying child support, a new spouse’s income can sometimes play a factor in changing the support amount. Modifying child support arrangements can be complicated, and it has to be done through the courts—if your child support arrangements are facing modifications, contact Dennis Stanford Law Office. We understand how complex these proceedings may be, and we will work to ensure that your rights are protected while you ensure that your child is being provided for.
Does Remarriage Affect Child Support Obligations?
Remarriage when you have child support doesn’t automatically modify your current child support arrangements. Ultimately, it is up to the courts to decide if a reasonable change needs to be made to the child support orders. Still, remarriage can impact your support agreements if they find a 15% more difference between the requested order and the existing circumstances.
Circumstances that may allow for a modification due to a significant variance:
- A change in the number of children that a parent is legally responsible for
- A change in a parent’s income
- A change in visitation
- A change in the child’s needs
The most important factor when it comes to child support arrangements is the best interests of the child. The courts will be able to look at whether changing the support amount is good for the child’s needs and overall well-being. Contact an experienced family and child support attorney to explore your legal options.
How Can a New Spouse's Income Impact Child Support?
Remarriage doesn’t obligate a new spouse to support their new stepchild, and the courts financially don’t factor in their income into the child support calculations. However, when a parent remarries, someone may ask for a review of the arrangements.
Examples of requests to modify child support:
- If the custodial parent remarries and their household income significantly increases, the non-custodial parent may seek a modification to reduce their support payments.
- If the non-custodial parent remarries and their household income significantly increases it could warrant a change in visitation and the support payments
- IIf a parent has a new child for whom they are legally responsible, Tennessee law makes such a change in circumstances a likely reason for the modification.
If you want to change your child support arrangements because of remarriage, the first step is to talk to an experienced child support and family attorney. A professional legal team can help guide you through the process of submitting the modification requests and explain your legal options. You will need to show that the proposed modifications will improve the child’s quality of life and will be in their best interests.
Other Factors Affecting Child Support After Remarriage
In Tennessee, courts rely on standard child support guidelines that calculate the amounts that are to be paid each month. These guidelines consider the parent's monthly incomes and the number of children involved.
Courts can also consider:
- Wages, commissions and tips
- Self-employment income
- Pensions and retirement plans
- Social security benefits
- Child care and health expenses
These circumstances allow the courts to effectively calculate the amount of child support that is needed to support the child. Remarriage can significantly change these circumstances, and while the non-custodial parent’s financial situation is the primary consideration when it comes to the calculation, remarriage has a domino effect regarding child support.
Other factors that may affect child support are:
- A parent’s high travel expenses to exercise visitation
- If the remarried parent stops working
- The non-custodial parent has a significant financial improvement
Significant financial improvement in a parent’s situation is the biggest motivator when it comes to requesting child support modifications. If the non-custodial parent moves into their new spouse’s home, that is paid off, or a lot of their debt is paid off, which could be grounds for a modification to be considered. If both biological parents earn too little to support the child, the new spouse’s income adequately is more likely to be considered into the calculations. Every family’s situation is unique, and with a skilled family attorney by your side, you can ensure that your child is provided for and everyone’s rights are equally considered.
When to Seek Legal Advice
At Dennis Stanford Law Office, we represent families seeking child support orders or modifications in Fort Campbell, Clarksville, and the surrounding areas. These cases can be complex, emotional, and high stakes. At our office, we work to ensure that you can pursue the best course of action for your family with compassionate representation. Contact us today to schedule a free and confidential consultation. You and your child deserve an attorney who you can trust to work tirelessly to resolve your matter as quickly and efficiently as possible. With our knowledge, experience, and dedication, we can help your family come to a modification that puts the child in the best place to succeed and thrive.
