How is child support calculated in Pennsylvania?

Parents in Pennsylvania with young children and teenagers are responsible for meeting their child’s financial needs, as well as their child’s emotional needs. Thus, if parents divorce, in general the noncustodial parent will pay child support to the custodial parent. These payments are meant to provide the financial assistance needed to raise the child in a healthy and supportive manner. Parents who are paying or receiving child support will want to make sure they understand how child support is calculated in Pennsylvania.

Calculating child support in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, the amount of child support owed is calculated based on the child’s reasonable needs and the noncustodial parent’s reasonable ability to make such payments. There is a specific formula courts will use when calculating child support, which is primarily based on the parents’ monthly net income. Per Pennsylvania law, a certain percentage of said income will be paid in child support based, in part, on which parent has physical custody of the child, the number of children being supported and the child’s educational and medical expenses.

Are child support calculations set in stone?

That being said, there are times when the court will deviate from the statutory amount of child support owed. The factors the court will consider when deviating from the statutory child support owed include any unusual needs, unusual fixed obligations, other support obligations, other income in the household, how old the child is, each parent’s assets and debts, any medical expenses that are not covered by insurance and each party’s standard of living.

Attorneys can provide information on child support in Pennsylvania

Ultimately, this post is for informational purposes only, and cannot guarantee any specific child support award. Parents who have questions about child support calculations will want to seek the assistance of an attorney. Pennsylvania family law attorneys can provide guidance at domestic relations conferences, ensuring that parents understand their options and obligations when it comes to child support.