How Illinois Child Support is Calculated

Abear Law Offices

Depending on a family’s structure, either parent or both parents may not be fully present in their children’s lives. If this is the case, either parent may need to pay a certain percentage of his or her income that will go toward child support.

2017 Child Support Law Changes

On July 1, 2017, a massive change in child support calculations was enforced. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act replaced the percentage calculation guideline formula with what is now called the “income shares” model.

This method is a guideline model that considers both parents’ incomes to determine child support calculations. However, one guideline that remains unchanged is that only one parent is required to make payments.

Child Support Payment Example

If a couple has only one child with his or her needs already satisfied, and there is no spousal support, then the calculation should be simple. There are many cases where the custodial parent’s income is less than the noncustodial parent’s income, or the other way around.

The process of how to calculate child support payments is as follows:

  • General questions, such as court and case information, will need to be answered.
  • Both parents will need to include tax deductions when making calculations.
  • For one child, the parents will need to calculate gross income to net income, and the calculator will automatically find the net income amount.
  • Then, the result from the net income calculator will add both parents’ converted incomes.
  • To calculate percentage shares of net monthly income, the number from the custodial parent’s net income will be divided by both parents’ net income.
  • The applicable amount will then be found on an income shares schedule, and the calculator will provide a breakdown of the child support obligation for both the custodial and noncustodial parent.
  • The calculator will also require pro-rated medical costs and health insurance premiums to be included.
  • After all factors are calculated, the recommended monthly child support payment will then be listed.

Contact a Wheaton Family Law Attorney

Attempting to calculate child support payments may seem very tedious and nerve-wracking. No one wants to make a mistake or a late payment on child support, which could lead to serious repercussions.

At Abear Law Offices, we can assist you with any questions that you may have regarding child support calculations. If you are a parent with questions regarding child support, please call an experienced DuPage County child support lawyer at 630-904-3033 for a free initial consultation.

Sources:

https://www.illinois.gov/hfs/SiteCollectionDocuments/IncomeSharesOverviewPublicVersionRC.pdf

https://www.isba.org/ibj/2017/06/lawpulse/newincomeshareschildsupportcalculat