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Pennsylvania Updates Child Support Guidelines
By Rita Fuerst Adams, National Executive Director,
Fathers and Families
The
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Domestic Relations Rules Committee has
reviewed and proposed updates to the child support guidelines, which
will go into effect later this year. The Committee, as required by
federal law, reviews the child support guidelines at least every four
years in order to assure that they appropriately reflect current
economic data on the costs of raising children.
The Committee's Recommendation 116 was guided by Jane Venohr's economic study.
Jane Venohr, Ph.D, is a research associate with the Center for Policy
Research. She is regarded as the nation’s leading expert on child
support guidelines, having worked with over 25 states to develop and
update guidelines.
Changes being recommended include:
- In
cases where the parents' combined income exceeds $3,500 per month, the
Committee recommends an increase in child support from the previous
schedule.
- In cases where combined income is less than $3,500 per month, the recommended support decreases slightly.
- For
low-income cases, the Committee recommends an increase in Self-Support
Reserve to $931 per month, the 2012 federal poverty level for one
person. This means that if a parent has a monthly net income of $931 or
less, they will only be obligated to pay child support after the court
considers that parent's actual living expenses.
- In
cases above the poverty level, but still considered low-income, i.e.
$1,100 per month, the recommendation introduces a two-step
consideration. It first looks to the Schedule using the parent's income
alone, then considers both parents' monthly net incomes. In these
cases, the lower of the two calculations will be that parent's child
support obligation. This is meant to address inequality in situations
where the parent obligated to pay child support has a very low income,
and the parent to whom child support is paid has a significantly higher
income.
For high-income cases, defined as parents' combined monthly net income >$30,000, the Committee retains their three-step formula from the current guidelines, but increases percentages of combined net income within the formula.
In
cases of shared custody, the Committee has recommended that if the
parent receiving support receives a larger share of their combined
income, the court will adjust the support obligation so that the
combined income is allocated equally between the two households, and
removes spousal support.
Mississippi Amends Child Support Guidelines
By Rita Fuerst Adams, National Executive Director,
Fathers and Families
Significant amendments to the Mississippi child support guidelines went into effect May 22, 2012. The amendments
were to MCA 43-19-103, which sets out the bases that the court may use
to deviate from the statutory child support calculation guidelines.
The
most significant change is that the payments by the noncustodial parent
for child care expenses may be a factor in determining child support
payments when the child care is needed in order for the custodial parent
to seek or retain employment, or because of the disability of the
noncustodial parent.
Another
factor that may be looked at in determining child support obligations
are other adjustments which may be needed to achieve an equitable result
between households. This includes, but is not limited to, a reasonable
and necessary existing expense or debt.
Thus,
factors identified that can impact child support payments are day care
expenses, disability of the party paying child support, and significant
debt incurred for the household.
The Protection from Domestic Abuse Law and related statutes were overhauled by the 2012 Legislature. Read the significant changes.
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Printer for Sale
A member recently donated a used, excellent condition Kyocera Taskalfa
550c color multifunction system with scanner, fax board, and
saddle-stitch finisher. It prints, scans, copies, and faxes.
Specs:
- Print Speed: 55 pages per minute (black and color)
- Resolution: 600 x 600 dpi (copy and print) / 8 Bit Color Depth
- Max Monthly Duty Cycle: 225,000 pages
More information, specs, and photos are available at Kyocera’s website.
Price is negotiable. The money we receive will go towards our work reforming family law. Pickup only from Manchester, NH. Please spread the word to anyone you know who may be interested. Contact Rita Fuerst Adams.
Mission
Fathers
and Families improves the lives of children and strengthens society by
protecting the child’s right to the love and care of both parents after
separation or divorce. We seek better lives for children through family
court reform that establishes equal rights and responsibilities for
fathers and mothers.
Fathers and Families
PO Box
270760
Boston,
Massachusetts 02127-0760
(617)
542-9300
www.fathersandfamilies.org
info@fathersandfamilies.org
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