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How long must parents pay child support?

On Behalf of | Oct 15, 2019 | Child Support

One of the most contentious issues in any divorce is the issue of child support. Even if one spouse gets a majority of child custody time, the other parent still needs to provide regular funds to aid with the child’s development. In 2018, for the first time in 26 years, Ohio updated the provisions under which parents must pay child support. 

During a divorce trial, the judge needs to determine how much a person needs to pay in child support. Raising a child is a vital yet expensive endeavor. Both parents need to provide clothing, food, shelter, healthcare and an array of other items to ensure the child receives the best care possible. 

What factors come into play?

The most important factor in determining child support is both parents’ income. The lowest amount a parent can pay is $80, and that only comes into play if the adult makes less than $8,400 annually. When the parent makes more than that, the court takes a percentage of the income, making sure the adult still has sufficient funds to live comfortably. 

How long must parents pay?

For the most part, parents need to pay child support until their kids are no longer children. Generally, once kids reach the age of 18, child support no longer comes into play. However, a child who is 18 and still in high school would still warrant child support payments, meaning they may not end until the child is 19. 

Does child support apply if the parents never married?

If a child’s parents never married, they still bear responsibility for determining child support. The court would not become involved in other matters of the separation, such as determining who receives a joint house, but it would factor in child support. Ultimately, the state of Ohio just wants to make sure children have the support they need to thrive. 

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