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How Does Joint Custody Affect Child Support in Illinois?
When parents go through a divorce, their biggest concern is how the separation will impact their children. They may agree that joint custody is the best arrangement for their children, as it allows both parents to stay involved. As they work through the details, questions about child support quickly arise. How does sharing custody impact the amount of child support owed? What role does each parent's income play in the decision?
Understanding these factors is essential for parents navigating a joint custody arrangement. A skilled Illinois family law attorney can provide guidance in this situation to help fairly allocate financial responsibilities.
What Is Joint Custody?
Joint custody, often referred to as shared parenting, means that both parents have legal responsibility for their child and typically share physical custody. However, joint custody does not always mean equal time with the child. Instead, the court will establish a parenting plan that outlines how much time the child will spend with each parent. The percentage of time each parent has with the child is vital in calculating child support payments.
How Are Child Support Payments Impacted By Joint Custody?
In Illinois, child support payments are determined using the Income Shares model. It evaluates the incomes of both parents, the number of children, and the amount of time the child spends with each parent.
When parents share custody, the court also considers the child's time with each parent. The more time a parent spends with the child, the less child support that parent may have to pay. Even in joint custody situations, one parent may still have to make payments if there is a significant difference in income levels between the parents.
What Are the Tax Implications of Child Support in Joint Custody?
Child support payments have tax implications, but they are different from other forms of financial support. The IRS does not consider child support payments as taxable income, so the parent receiving child support does not need to report it as income. Similarly, the paying parent cannot claim child support as a tax deduction.
Who Gets the Child-Related Tax Deduction in Joint Custody?
The IRS allows parents to claim a tax deduction for dependents, but only one parent can claim the child as a dependent in a given year. Illinois courts often encourage parents with joint custody to alternate claiming the child on their taxes. Still, the final decision can depend on various factors, including the amount of time each parent spends with the child and who covers more of the child’s financial needs. For parents with multiple children, each parent may be able to claim one or more children, depending on the arrangement.
Can Shared Custody Impact Other Financial Support Obligations?
While child support covers basic needs, shared custody can affect how additional expenses, like medical bills, extracurriculars, and education, are divided. Even if child support is reduced, both parents are still responsible for these extra costs, which fall outside regular child support obligations. It is important to understand that child support is only one aspect of financial responsibility in joint custody situations.
Contact a St. Charles Child Custody Lawyer
If you have questions about how joint custody will affect child support payments, a Kane County, IL child custody attorney at Shaw Sanders, P.C. can help. Our team is dedicated to assisting families as they navigate the complexities of child support and custody arrangements. Contact us at 630-584-5550 to schedule a free consultation today.
630-584-5550