Supporting Your Children
Child Support
Whether you're paying or receiving, Matt makes sure child support calculations are fair and follow Idaho guidelines.
How Child Support Works in Idaho
Idaho uses a formula to calculate child support. It's not up to the judge's whim - there are specific guidelines that courts must follow. The formula considers:
- Both parents' income - gross income from all sources
- Number of children - more kids = more support
- Custody time - the more time you have, the less you pay (or receive)
- Healthcare costs - who pays for the kids' insurance
- Childcare costs - work-related daycare expenses
The goal is to make sure kids have the same standard of living they'd have if their parents were still together. Neither parent should bear an unfair burden.
The Idaho Child Support Guidelines
Calculate Combined Income
Add both parents' gross monthly income together.
Look Up the Basic Obligation
The guidelines table shows the basic support amount for your income level and number of kids.
Calculate Each Parent's Share
Each parent pays a percentage based on their share of the combined income.
Adjust for Custody Time
If you have significant custody time (typically 25%+), the amount is reduced.
Add Extras
Healthcare premiums and childcare costs are split proportionally and added.
Matt can run the actual calculations for your situation during your consultation.
Common Child Support Issues
Hidden Income
Some people try to hide income - working for cash, underreporting self-employment income, or having a new spouse "pay for everything." Matt knows how to investigate and uncover hidden income.
Voluntary Unemployment
Can't quit your job to avoid support. Courts can "impute" income - calculate support based on what you could earn, not what you're choosing to earn. This works both ways.
Modifications
Lost your job? Got a raise? Custody changed? Support can be modified when circumstances change. Matt handles both increasing and decreasing support amounts.
Enforcement
If your ex won't pay, you have options: wage garnishment, tax refund seizure, license suspension, and contempt. Matt can pursue all available remedies to get you what you're owed.
If You're Receiving Support
- Ensure all income is counted (bonuses, side jobs, benefits)
- Include healthcare and childcare costs
- Get enforcement help if payments stop
- Seek increases when income goes up
If You're Paying Support
- Ensure your ex's income is properly counted too
- Get credit for your custody time
- Seek reductions when circumstances change
- Fight against unfair deviations
Child Support Questions
Idaho uses a formula based on: both parents' income, how many children you have, how much time each parent has custody, and costs for health insurance and childcare. The Idaho Child Support Guidelines provide a specific calculation. Matt can run the numbers for your situation and explain what to expect.
Yes, if circumstances have changed significantly. Common reasons include: job loss or big income change, significant change in custody time, child's needs have changed (like medical issues), or it's been more than 5 years since the last order. Matt can evaluate whether you qualify for a modification.
You have options. Idaho can: garnish wages directly, seize tax refunds, suspend driver's or professional licenses, report to credit bureaus, and in extreme cases, hold the non-payer in contempt (which can mean jail). Matt can help you pursue enforcement through the court.
Yes, but you need a good reason. Courts can deviate from the guidelines for things like: extraordinary medical expenses, special educational needs, income substantially higher than the table covers, or other factors that would make the guideline amount unfair. Matt knows when deviation is possible and how to argue for it.
Not automatically. Idaho child support typically ends at 18 (or 19 if still in high school). Courts can't order parents to pay for college. However, parents can agree to college support in their divorce agreement. If that's important to you, Matt can help negotiate it into your settlement.
Child Support Questions?
Get accurate calculations and honest advice about your situation. Free consultation.