The key factor in determining how much a person receives from an ex-spouse in child support is the gross income of the former spouse. However, some income may exist only on paper and has never actually been received. Some people in Virginia may wonder if this income, known as unrealized income, counts toward calculating child support payments.
Does bankruptcy allow a person to stop paying child support?
A notice comes in the mail from an ex-spouse. It turns out your former spouse is having financial difficulties and has filed for bankruptcy. Just hearing the word "bankruptcy" can fill you with trepidation. Does going bankrupt mean your ex-spouse does not have to pay any more child support? Do not expect a Virginia court to buy that reasoning. Findlaw makes it clear that bankruptcy is not a shield from paying child support.
Will your tax refund be lower than expected?
If you owe back child support in Virginia, you may end up with a surprise when you get your tax refund this year. The child support office can petition to have all or part of your refund taken to pay the child support you have past due. According to the IRS, the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, which pays refunds, will withhold money for agencies, like child support.
When is the time to request a child support modification?
When you receive the final court order for child support in Virginia, it is important that you understand it is not actually permanent. You can request a modification later if a need arises. Modifications are allowed by law. They must be done through the court, though. If you try to modify your payments outside of court, between you and the child's other parent, then you will run into issues with the state, which collects fees on all your payments.
What are some facts about child support?
If you have a child and are no longer in a relationship with your child's other parent, you may be dealing with child support. Child support is a payment made by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent to help pay for the child's needs. According to the Virginia Department of Social Services, when figuring child support, the court considers many factors, such as childcare expenses, health insurance expenses, the number of children and the incomes of both parents.
Calculating child support in a VA divorce
When couples file for divorce in Virginia, children are often left to go through major emotional and financial changes in their lives. As a way to minimize some of these dramatic changes, the court will issue a child support order to the non-custodial parent in the case. Child support is designed to bridge the financial gap that children often experience when they are forced to move into a new home and adapt to a new lifestyle.
Establishing paternity important for child support
Child support can be a crucial resource for ensuring that children are healthy, happy and provided for following a divorce or separation. Establishing paternity is often an important step for Virginia parents seeking child support, and it offers many benefits for the children involved.
5 situations that may trigger child support modification
Child support is critical for families all across Virginia. Whether you pay it or receive it, you should understand that child support makes it possible for a child to get the care and support he or she needs.