Understanding Child Support Guidelines in Massachusetts

As a lawyer specializing in divorce cases, I have seen many clients struggle with understanding child support guidelines in Massachusetts. Child support is a crucial aspect of divorce cases, and it is essential to understand the guidelines to ensure that your child receives the support they need. In this article, I will explain the child support guidelines in Massachusetts and provide you with a step-by-step approach to calculate child support.

What is Child Support?

Child support is a payment made by one parent to the other parent to support their child's needs. The payment is intended to cover the child's basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, and medical care. Child support is usually paid until the child reaches the age of 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes later.

Child Support Guidelines in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, child support guidelines are based on the income of both parents and the number of children involved. The guidelines are set by the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, which is a formula used to calculate child support payments.

The guidelines take into account the following factors:

• The gross income of both parents
• The number of children involved
• The cost of health insurance for the child
• The cost of child care
• Any other relevant expenses, such as educational expenses or special needs expenses

Step-by-Step Approach to Calculate Child Support

To calculate child support in Massachusetts, follow these steps:

1. Determine the gross income of both parents. Gross income includes all income from any source, including wages, salaries, tips, bonuses, commissions, and self-employment income.

2. Subtract any pre-existing child support or alimony payments from the gross income of the paying parent.

3. Determine the combined available income by adding the gross income of both parents.

4. Use the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines Worksheet to determine the basic child support obligation based on the combined available income and the number of children involved.

5. Add any additional expenses, such as health insurance, child care, and other relevant expenses, to the basic child support obligation.

6. Divide the total child support obligation between the parents based on their respective incomes.

7. The paying parent will pay their share of the child support obligation to the receiving parent.

Conclusion

Child support is a critical aspect of divorce cases, and it is essential to understand the guidelines to ensure that your child receives the support they need. In Massachusetts, child support guidelines are based on the income of both parents and the number of children involved. To calculate child support, you need to determine the gross income of both parents, subtract any pre-existing child support or alimony payments, determine the combined available income, use the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, add any additional expenses, and divide the total child support obligation between the parents based on their respective incomes. By following these steps, you can ensure that your child receives the support they need.