What Are Child Support Guidelines in Illinois?
In Illinois, parents who share children are legally obliged to support them, even after the couple gets a divorce. They can forge an agreement on child support, but those agreements need to comply with legal child support guidelines and get court approval. This is because the children have a right over that support, not the parents.
The Income Shares Model for Child Support
The Illinois child support law underwent critical changes in 2017. The new law introduced an income shares model for calculating it. The previous one only considered the obligor’s income (i.e., the parent responsible for child support). The new model considers both parents’ income for calculating support.
As per the new income shares model, an Illinois family court first determines the total amount children need using specific tables outlined by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The amount is then split between the parents as per their net income. So if the obligor earns less than the other parent, the lesser the child support, they have to pay.
When Child Support Ends
When a child turns 18 years old in Illinois, their child support ends unless they still attend high school full time. In that case, the support is extended until they turn 19 or graduate. If the child is disabled and unable to support himself/herself, the obligation may be extended. Some judges may also order the non-custodial parent to cover their expenses even if they attend college.
The Child’s Best Interests Are a Priority
In Illinois, child support is ultimately calculated and determined as per the children’s best interests, not their parents. This is why some courts may order payments that are not mentioned in the minimum requirements if they think the children will benefit from their decision. Some of the factors that a court can use to come to this decision include the following:
- The financial responsibilities of both parents.
- The financial needs of the children.
- The emotional, physical, and emotional needs of the children.
- The standard of living the children enjoyed when their parents were together.
Get In Touch With Dan Walker Law Office for a Child Support Consultation
Whether you are going through a divorce, or need advice on child support options in Illinois, the Hinsdale child support lawyers at Dan Walker Law Office can help. We have years of experience providing custom legal solutions for clients from all backgrounds and are known for our aggressive representation skills for contentious cases.
We want nothing more than to ensure you and your family can have a stable and happy life post-divorce. Get in touch with us at our office in Hinsdale, IL, for a consultation today. We will discuss your legal options and the strategy to fight your case.
The sooner you talk to us, the better it will be for you and your family. We can also discuss an out-of-court settlement with you and your partner’s lawyer if that is the course you want to take. Our lawyers will be more than happy to advise you.
