Child Support - Research Paper Example

Child Support Children from the very young age are dependent on their parents for survival. Providing children’s basic and other needs are the sole responsibility of the parents. After a child is born, until he/she becomes adult and can take care of his or her own self, children need support, care, and attention, so that they learn and progress under elder’s guidance to become responsible citizens in their lives ahead. Parent’s attention and their farsightedness for the child’s development is what make them mature enough to handle critical situations in life. Love and care from the parents are the innate right of children. It is the right of the children to be loved, to get quality education, access to quality health care and exposure to most suitable environment for living. Parents should put their child’s development and need at the first place. They should always opt for whatever is best for their child and should never put their own personal needs and matters before their children’s needs. A child’s life is very delicate; it is like wet cement, subject to mould in every container it has been poured in. This is the reason, as a parent one should always try to let the child’s development prior to any other responsibility. In addition to that, it is no doubt the fact that most parents fulfill this responsibility. Either by being a supporting guardian and/or a well-wisher for their children throughout their lifetime, but in some point in time children’s do sometimes suffers because of parent’s decisions and inappropriate actions. When, one or both of the parents decide to lead their lives apart and compel their children to live dual life between one and both of the parent houses, children are the ones who suffer mentally, physically and emotionally. This setback for the child is very disturbing; it makes them uncertain for their own future and inability to trust anyone in their lives. This happens when parents opt for a divorce or decide to leave their spouses for good. Children, here, as vulnerable souls initially remain quiet but after some time, they even began to respond to their surrounding and if immediate actions are not taken, might result in emotional turmoil (Garfinkel, pp.1-3). Child’s development and growth is affected when the parents decide to be separated. Where parental responsibilities divide and the child’s development is at the stake, then State and welfare laws generally interfere to determine what is most appropriate for the victim. The child support determined, hence, fulfill both financial and non-material needs of the child to minimize the effect of this mishap on the child’s mindset (Watnik, pp. 67-68). Country and State laws designed to make sure that children are leading secure and quality life even after the separation, are only one way to keep the lives of the children back on track. Through the child support programs and payment of mandatory compensation amount to the custodian parent, legislative bodies ensure that even after separation, the obligation of child support remains to the parents and one or both of the parents fulfill that obligation by providing child support (Leonard, p.231) In order to determine the child support amount, each state and council has its own legislative formulas. This formula may vary from one state from another, but the amount is determined from the basic incomes and expenses incurred by the parents. In order to determine the amount of the child support, the method depends on the income taxes, social security, medical taxes, and other expenses subtracted from the income. Child support amount is also dependent on the combined assets of the parents like stocks owned, bonds, and property at hand (Boland, pp. 99-107). After the parents decide to live apart and one of the parents gets the custody of the child, the non-custodial parent reimburse that amount to custodial parent for care and fulfillment of daily responsibility of the child throughout his/her life (Watnik, pp. 68-70). In the case where parents are joint custodian of the child, ratio of incomes of parents and the amount of time with each parent is taken into consideration as well, in order to calculate child support amount. Generally, the child support cost is divided between both the parents. This is because both the parents are benefiting from that amount so if one parent spends the other gives payment. Non-custodial parents are only enforced when the court suggests that the child needs something more and the custodial parents are not in a position to fulfill the requirements (Leonard, p. 232). Programs for child support may also vary from family to family and/or from case to case. This is because there is no standard lifestyle for all the families who decides to live a separate life. Moreover, income level and standard of living of one family may be different from the other, but the law governing bodies and court make sure that the child gets what is best for him. Therefore, the amount is also influenced by the needs and necessities of the child, the need of education, health care and other specifications needed (Boland, pp. 101-103). The lifestyle of the parents is determined and if the family is wealthy enough to continue supporting the child monetarily than court ensures that the needed care and love is given other than the bare necessities. On the other hand, when custodial parents are from the lower income group then court ensures that children are even then entitled to a substantial standard of living that can help children develop in the suitable environment. The amount is also open to change as the child grows over time and his/her needs vary. It is also modifiable with respect to the change in the quality of life of the parents, remarriage, and future changes in income level. Studies indicated that expenses of child support continue until the child turns twenty (Watnik, pp. 73-75). The child support programs also sometimes include payment of all the debts and credits, when needed and as the court find it appropriate. When the child is young, that is below 12, the child support laws are stricter and take into consideration the matter with minute understanding, as to fulfill the whole requirements for that child. Because in the infant years, child despite material support needs care and love from the parents, so court has to make sure that proper standard of living is provided by the parents during theses growth years. Availability of proper education facility, provision of health care facility and extra-curricular activities are also sometimes the part of child support amounts (Garfinkel, pp. 18-20). Most of the time, the suggested amount by the authorities is the final verdict, but also, as the case demands, the determined child support amount is open for negotiation and parental agreement. Participation in divorce mediation also affects the child support decision. This negotiation help custodian discuss the needs and the requirements of the child before making any commitment. Moreover, it also determines the best possible means with which child support is determined. Mediation between parents is the most effective way, which highlights the matter and provides open rooms for discussions (Connaughton, p.1). Whatever amount parents accept, by judging on all the basic criteria and after the negotiation has taken place, is subject to immediate proceedings in the respective courts. The process of mediation apart from the financial agreement also focuses on plans of the children in the future, rather than having a usual discussion upon the problems parents were facing while living together (Connaughton, p.1). Parents in most of the states, hence, opt for consultation and negotiators to make sure that their child is getting all the facilities in life that they have thought of providing them before separation. It is though, not healthy for a child’s development that in the initial stages of his life, parents decide to lead their separate lives. However, if this is the case, child support programs and child support compensations plays a significant role in making sure the availability of quality environment for that child. Conclusively, the paper has discussed some of the significant aspects of child support. It is an expectation that the paper will be beneficial for students, teachers, and professionals in better understanding of the topic. Works Cited Boland, Mary L. Your Right to Child Custody, Visitation, and Support. Sourcebooks, Inc, 2007. Connaughton, Barney. How Is Child Support Determined And How Flexible Is It? 2009. Retrieved on September 23, 2009: http://divorcefamilylawmediation.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-is-child-support-determined-and-how.html Garfinkel, Irwin, McLanahan, Sara, Robins, Philip K. Child support and child well-being. The Urban Institute, 1994. Leonard, Robin, Lamb, John C. Solve your money troubles: get debt collectors off your back and regain financial freedom. Nolo, 2007. Watnik, Webster. Child Custody Made Simple. Single Parent Press, 2003. Read More