Mississippi Child Support Laws – The top things you need to know

Mississippi adheres to a specific set of codes when it comes to child support payments. In case of a divorce when the child is handed custody to one parent, the other parent is required to pay child support. To determine the amount to be paid and settle the matter, finding a child support attorney in South Haven is important. However, it is not that difficult as there are many lawyers who specialize in constructing these agreements.

This law was formed so that the parent who is not living with the child full time has to bear responsibility as well, and pay for the needs of the child/children as well. The custodial parent is obligated for child support too; however, there is no certain percentage of their income that has to be documented legally as the state assumes that this parent will be providing for their children through their assets.

The payments made by the custodial parents continue till the child turns 21. In case the child is sentenced in a juvenile facility, the non custodial parent is not obligated to pay child support for the period the child spends in jail.

How to calculate the payments?

To calculate the amount that a non-custodial parent has to pay, the first thing to know is the total income from all sources. These include salary, commissions, investments, trust and inheritance.

Taxes, disability contributions, social security contributions and mandatory retirement are to be subtracted from these and the difference would be the Gross income.

Child support percentage is as follows:

  • 1 child: 14% of income
  • 2 children: 20% of income
  • 3 children: 22% of income
  • 4 children: 24% of income
  • 5 or more children: 26% of income

Adjustments in the amount paid

In some cases, it is possible that the amount being paid for child support is unfair to a parent or the child. In some cases, the amount set by the state can be rebutted with evidence of factors such as extraordinary medical expenses, child’s own income, increase in either parents’ income, and the child’s age.

As times, agreements have been made between the parents to adjust the child support amount to be fair to the other parent. This agreement has to be written though and submitted in court where the agreement has to be approved by a judge.

Details for this process can be discussed with your child support attorney in Southaven, as they can better guide you to what would be fair for you and your child. For more information on family law, contact us today!