Arkansas Child Support

It is never easy to provide for children during a divorce, but the Arkansas child support laws help parents and the courts figure out how to provide for the financial needs of children throughout the state.

The Arkansas child support guidelines provide guidance for the courts to determine how much child support is needed. Before going to court, use the Arkansas child support calculator to give you some idea of how the courts will look at your particular case.

When you go to court to determine the appropriate child support for your family, the court will examine important financial documents provided by you and the other parent. This includes:

• Gross income of both parents
• Childcare expenses
• Health insurance and any other insurance expenses
• Child support for children of other relationships
• Spousal support paid or received
• Additional education expenses, such as tutoring, summer camp or extra-curricular activities
• Additional medical, dental or vision expenses

It is not unusual for child support orders to need a modification due to a change in life styles and circumstance. The Office of Child Support Enforcement provide assistance if you want to modify a child support order or request a termination of child support.

There may be ways for you to lower your child support payments. But, be certain to always be honest and candid with the court. The same advice applies when you request an increase in child support payment.

It is inevitable that the court will find out if you are not being honest regarding your situation. If you are dishonest, the court may order an expensive penalty against you.

If you submit a request for modification of the child support order, the court will modify the order if there is:

• A change in who has custody of a child
• An increase or decrease in the income of either the custodial or non-custodial parent
• Financial obligation of either parent to support children or elderly parents
• Addition of or a change the health insurance coverage
• Increase or decrease in expenses for the special needs of gifted or handicapped children

Your Arkansas child support order will end automatically once the child:

• Reaches the age of 18 and graduates from high school
• Has a change in legal custody
• Gets married
• Dies

However, if the child has a disability, the court may determine the support obligation will not terminate. For example, the court may order both parents to continue to provide support for the grown child who cannot be employed due to his/her severe disability.

Child support is vital for the health, education and upbringing of many children in the state. Therefore, Arkansas is very serious about enforcing child support order for any child living in the state.

The state will enforce the child support order with a mandatory payroll deduction if the parent is unable or unwilling to make regular child support payments.

With a mandatory payroll deduction, the court orders the paying parent’s employer to deduct payroll funds for the financial support of the minor children. When the court orders a mandatory payroll deduction, the employer cannot refuse to follow the court’s order. Also, the parent cannot dictate when support payments will be made.

Child support enforcement services are also available to:

• Locate the parents
• Establish the paternity of a child
• Establish child support orders throughout the state
• Review and modify child support orders regarding any child living within the state

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