Pennsylvania Child Support
Calculate and Collect Your Child Support
Get the right child support for your state now. Child Support is an
important part of your monthly budget. Shouldn't you be sure the amount is
correct? Calculate what your support should be OR calculate the arrears owed to you.
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Pennsylvania child support is based upon Federal laws
that withholds Federal funding to states that do not
comply with Federal support guidelines. The intent
behind the Federal mandates is to provide the children
of divorced or separated parents the same level of
support that they would have enjoyed had their family
remained intact.
Pennsylvania child support is calculated using child support
guidelines. The Support Guideline was developed on the premise that the
child(ren) of separated or divorced parents should receive the same proportion
of parental incomes as if the parents were together. The Pennsylvania child
support guidelines are based upon the reasonable needs of the child seeking
support and the ability of the obligor to provide support. In determining the
reasonable needs of the child seeking support and the ability of the obligor to
provide support, the Pennsylvania child support guidelines place primary
emphasis on the net incomes and earning capacities of the parties, with
allowable deviations for unusual needs, extraordinary expenses and other
factors, such as the parties' assets, as warrant special attention.
The amount of child support arrived at under the
Pennsylvania guidelines is presumed to be correct unless there is a showing
that the amount would be unjust of inappropriate under the particular
circumstances of a case.
In Pennsylvania, child support must be paid by
income-withholding unless: the obligor is not behind in payment of support in
an amount equal to or more than one month's support payment; and if the court
finds that there is good cause not to require immediate income withholding; or
a written agreement is reached between the custodial parent and the
noncustodial parent, which provides for an alternative arrangement. An
income-withholding order is not used for self-employed noncustodial parents.
The court will issue a mandatory income-withholding order if arrears accrue in
an amount equal to one month's support obligation even if good cause has been
shown or there is a written agreement not to impose income-withholding.
Once a Pennsylvania child support order has been issued it
may be modified. Either parent may request a modification by filing a Petition.
In order to obtain a modification of the Pennsylvania child support order, the
party requesting the increase or decrease must show that a material change in
circumstances has taken place. One example of a material change is the loss or
change of income or employment by either party
Once an order of Pennsylvania child support has been issued,
the support payor is required to pay support. A failure to pay child support as
directed may result in enforcement efforts and penalties, such as imprisonment
for up to six months. Other penalties could include the suspension, non-renewal
or denial of a noncustodial parent's driver's license, professional license or
recreational license, the interception of lottery winnings and Federal Tax
refunds, the denial of a Passport, a negative report to the consumer credit
bureaus, the imposition of liens on property, probation for up to six months
and/or a fine of up to $500.00.
Pennsylvania child support arrears will remain an
outstanding debt until paid in full. A modification of child support will not
eliminate child support arrears that accumulated as a result of a nonpayment of
Pennsylvania child support.
Pennsylvania law establishes that both parents are liable
for the support of their children who are unemancipated and 18 years of age or
younger. However, parents may be liable for the support of their children who
are 18 years of age or older if the child is still attending high school.
Pennsylvania child support may also be extended past a child’s 18th
birthday if physical or emotional challenges of the child warrant such an
extension.
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