Understanding Child Support In Oregon
Child support is generally paid by the higher earning parent to the lower earning parent as a contribution to the needs of the children. If the child resides an equal amount of time with each parent, the parent with the lower income may still be entitled to child support. If the parents have joint custody, this does not mean the parties will be ordered to pay equally for the children's needs. Relative incomes and time share will be the major factors in determining child support.
Under Oregon child support law, child support is determined under statewide guidelines through use of a computer program that family law attorneys can run in their offices. The formula is based on the gross income of the parents, the amount of time the child spends with the parties, the cost of child care, and other factors, such as health insurance payments and other necessary ongoing costs.
Support Modifications
In the case of child support modifications, the loss of a job, the evolving needs of growing children, and other events can bring about the need to make changes in the amount of child support after a divorce. These can either be negotiated between the parents with the help of a lawyer or resolved by a judge in a court modification hearing.