10 Jul What You Need to Know About RI Child Support Laws

Divorce happens to the best of us. It’s estimated, in fact, that about half of all American marriages end in divorce. And if, perchance, your marriage should happen to produce a child, you will need to learn as much as you possibly can about RI child support laws. Without further ado, then, Elisha Morris Esq., Attorney at Law, has come up with this list of things you need to know about RI child support laws.

RI Child Support Laws: The Basics

• According to existing RI child support laws, child support is not automatically granted, even in the event of a divorce or a separation. Rather, the custodial parent (that is, the parent that has primary custody of the child) must petition the court for the non-custodial parent (that is, the parent that does not have primary custody) to pay for child support. Under RI child support laws, as well, both parents are responsible for child support of the minor child.
• RI child support laws also state that the actual amount paid in child support isn’t a hard and fast rule. Rather, RI courts provide parents with a Guidelines Sheet in order for them to calculate, approximately, what they can expect to pay in child support.
• RI child support laws also state that it’s possible for a non-custodial parent to challenge the amount that’s owed in child support, especially if s/he can successfully argue that the amount ordered is excessive or unjust. There are many things the judge takes into consideration before ruling that child support be increased – or decreased – but one of the most important questions that the judge asks is, “what would the child’s quality of life be like if the marriage had not been dissolved?”
• Finally, but certainly no less importantly, RI child support laws state that a parent’s child support obligations end when the child turns 18. However, the custodial parent can petition the court for the non-custodial parent to continue child support payments for up to three months after the child graduates from high school. However, if a child is emancipated before s/he turns 18, child support payments immediately cease.

Certainly, it’s easy to see that RI child support laws can be overwhelming, and that’s why you need the assistance of Elisha Morris, Esq., Attorney at Law to represent your best interests. While past results are no guarantee of future success, and while this blog is certainly not meant to take the place of proper legal advice, we can certainly assure you that hiring an attorney to represent your best interests can not only help you navigate the RI child support laws, but help you get the outcome you want and deserve. So if you need a lawyer to represent you in a child support dispute, contact the law offices of Elisha Morris, Esq., today.