Ohio parents who have parted ways often have questions about the way that support payments are dealt with. One situation they might need to address is if payments are affected when only one of the parents has a job. The answer to this question depends on the financial situation of the parents.
The importance of child support
Financial support is important in maintaining the quality of life and standard of living of children after their parents split up. To determine child support, courts look at several factors, including:
- Each parent’s financial situation
- The child’s interests and needs
- Whether the payment amount results in financial difficulty for the paying parent
What happens when the custodial parent does not work?
Even if the custodial parent does not work, the best interests of the child must be met. Courts might consider raising the amount of support. However, this depends on the custodial parent’s situation. For example, a parent who has custody and no job would still need to support their children. A court might then consider raising the amount that the ex-spouse pays. If the custodial parent has income or savings from other sources and can cover their part of the support, the child support amount from their ex-spouse might remain the same.
What happens when the non-custodial parent does not work?
Similarly, a non-custodial parent who is not working might petition for a decrease in the payment. However, courts will again look at that parent’s financial situation. If the non-custodial parent has income or savings that allow them to continue paying support, courts will usually let the support agreement continue.
In both cases, parents who do not work will need to show evidence that they are either actively looking for work or explain why they have not accepted a job. It is always best to be honest and transparent in child support cases. Family law professionals may help parents make their case before a judge.
