Last Updated on October 27, 2023 by Lori Pace
For various reasons, the parents of a child might split. When this happens, it is common for one parent to take on the responsibility of caring for the child. This can be a difficult task as only one parent’s income may not be enough to cover all the child’s needs. To ensure that the child has a decent existence, laws help establish and enforce child support. In short, child support is a regular payment by the noncustodial parent to the custodial parent for the care of the child. This article will give you all information about the kentucky child support system and calculator.
The Process For Child Support After Divorce
Anyone who has custody of a child in Kentucky and needs assistance to establish the paternity of that child can apply for child support services. Foster parents and relatives can also apply for support, provided they have custody of the child. In most cases, however, the child will be in the custody of one parent. Even if the parents have not filed for divorce, child support can still be requested.
Custodial parents who wish to apply for child support can do so on the Kentucky Child Support Interactive website. Child support cases require a $35 application fee if the custodial parent has not received cash assistance. Deduction of this fee is only after the custodial parent has received child support payments in excess of $550.
It can take up to three months to create a child support case. This is dependent on how well the custodial parents comply and provide information about the noncustodial. Information such as the home address, details of the employer, social security number, and so on. The noncustodial parent can help speed up the process. This is because the noncustodial parents must be notified and located before the case can move forward.
You can establish paternity by signing a Voluntary Acknowledgement Of Paternity or by court interference. Parents can sign and confirm that the child is theirs by signing voluntarily. The court can intervene if there is a dispute about paternity and order genetic testing. Then, the court will issue a paternity order after the results of the genetic testing confirmation of fatherhood. If the father does not respond within 20 days to a paternity notice, there could be a default judgment.
After Confirmation of Paternity
Once the establishment of paternity of the child, the court will initiate proceedings to determine the amount of child. This process takes the incomes of each parent, their financial obligations, and contributions to the child’s welfare (e.g. insurance coverage) into account. The court then orders that a reasonable monthly amount to the custodial parent. For additional information, visit the official Child Support in Kentucky site.
Child Support Payments and Calculator in Kentucky
Custodial parents can receive child support payments via direct deposit to their bank accounts, or by special prepaid debit cards. Parents who wish to receive their child support payments into their accounts can to fill an Authorization for Electronic Deposit of Child Support Payments form and submit the form to the address listed on it.
The funds will be preloaded onto the card by the parents who have received their payments via a prepaid debit card. They can then use the funds at ATMs and purchase points. There is a typical dispersal of child support payments within two business days after the non-custodial parent send them. Those who want notifications for the payment update can visit Kentucky Child Support website to see how to set up the notifications.
The Maximum Amount Calculator That Your Family Can Receive For Child Support in Kentucky
Based on established guidelines, the amount of child support ordered is calculated. Both parents will be responsible for some of the costs with raising the child. Considerations for setting the order include income of each parent, child support obligations (if any), number of children, cost of medical coverage, and special needs of the child. Kentucky also maintains a child support calculator, however, that the exact amount awarded as child support may vary from the estimate. The court is the final authority on what the amount is.
If the income of the noncustodial parent has changed significantly or the needs of their child, custodial parents can apply to review the child support order.
Enforcement of Child Support
To enforce compliance and payment, parents who fail to pay or owe child support may face multiple actions. Income withholding is a common action. This refers to the deducting of child support payments, past and current, from the wages of the noncustodial parent. These deductions can be taken from salaries, unemployment benefits, veterans retirement benefits, and other sources. These deductions are not applicable to public assistance or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
To pay child support, lottery winnings, tax refunds, or insurance settlements can be intercepted. Other actions include denial of passports, placing liens on property, freezing or deducting from bank accounts, suspension and denials of professional and recreational licenses, as well as court action that could lead to jail time.
