Child Support Lawyers in Manhattan, KS

Understanding Child Support Responsibilities in Kansas

While both parents have the responsibility of financially supporting their children after divorce, the parent who does not have primary residential custody of the children makes actual child support payments. This is because the primary custodial parent is presumed to be spending the required amount in the care of the child.

Duration of Child Support Payments in Kansas

Child support payments usually last until the children turn 18 years old or 19 years old if the child is still in high school. The final child support order may specify how the paying parent is expected to provide the money, or it may leave the order open-ended. In any case, both parents must obey the order, otherwise, you can file a motion to enforce the order with the court.

Calculating Child Support According to Kansas Guidelines

Kansas’ child support guidelines calculate the basic amount of child support based on both parents’ adjusted gross incomes from the past 3 years. In the context of child support calculations, income is all earned and unearned income during a calendar year, including your:

A court may impute or assign an income value to the noncustodial parent if it appears that the parent voluntarily works less or not at all for the purposes of avoiding the child support obligation. 

Appropriate deductions for items like spousal support, union dues, and state and federal income taxes should then be deducted from both parent's gross income to obtain the final adjusted gross income for determining child support based on the amounts listed in the guidelines.

It is possible to ask the judge to adjust the amount of support determined by the guidelines based on reasons affecting the child’s well-being, such as the child’s special needs, their extraordinary expenses, income tax considerations, and the parents' overall financial condition.  

Contact our child support attorneys in Manhattan today to learn more about how CJI Law can help you.

Kansas Child Support Modification

While child support is an official court order, both parents have the right to request the court to modify the payment amount. You can request a modification at any time if you are able to demonstrate that you have experienced a material change in circumstances resulting in either an increase or reduction in your income by at least 10%. For instance, losing your job, relocating, getting a new job, or having a baby could all be grounds for a modification.

Kansas calculates support differently for different age groups, so it is possible that a modification request submitted when a child is younger may not be approved, while the same request when the child is older may pass.

The Kansas Department of Child Support Services also automatically reviews child support cases every 4 years, regardless of whether you submit a request for modification. In their review, they may decide to make adjustments to the child support order if they find that either parent's income has changed.

Contact Our Manhattan, KS Child Support Attorneys Today 
If you are dealing with child support issues, whether you are the paying parent or the receiving parent, reach out to our child support lawyers at CJI Law for legal assistance. We can make sure the appropriate income value is being considered when calculating the child support obligation, as well as help you build a case for adjusting that amount higher or lower.

Schedule a free consultationwith CJI Law today to get started with our child support lawyers in Manhattan, KS. Don’t navigate this alone when we can stand beside you and your children.