What Is the Average Child Support Payment in Connecticut?

Having a child can be one of the most rewarding and meaningful experiences of your entire life. However, the ensuing custody battle you may have to go through can be overwhelming, confusing, and emotional. Above all, you want to make sure you are there for your child, but that may be easier said than done depending on the situation. A good child support attorney can help your case. You may be asking: What is the average child support payment in Connecticut?

As you attempt to navigate Connecticut child support laws, there’s nothing wrong with seeking advice from an experienced family lawyer who has worked on child support cases similar to yours in the past. You want to make sure your spouse and their legal team aren’t trying to take advantage of you by demanding high payments and restricting your access to your child. A good lawyer can help you whether you are seeking support or paying support.

Why Should You Hire a Child Support Lawyer?

There are many significant reasons why you should hire a child support lawyer. Whether you are seeking child support from the other parent or paying it, you want to make sure nobody’s hurting your interests and making things difficult for you. The legal team at Reich & Truax, PLLC, has considerable experience handling family law cases just like yours, including child support cases on both sides. We can bring a personalized and compassionate approach to your case.

Understanding the rates of marriage and divorce in the state can be beneficial to your case in more ways than one. According to data gathered by the CDC, the rate of divorce in Connecticut is fairly low at only 2.8 per 1,000 residents as of 2022. Similarly, the rate of marriage in Connecticut is also quite low at only 47.6% according to recent data from World Population Review. Custody battles often ensue after divorce. They’re not uncommon in the slightest.

What is common is stress during custody battles. You have to take care of your own mental health before you can fight for your child or work out child support. You may want to consider reaching out to a local mental health support group like NAMI Connecticut or 211 Connecticut.

There’s nothing wrong with asking for help or trying to make things better for yourself. Talking to the right people can be a significant help to you, especially if you are able to talk to others who are dealing with similar situations.

What Is the Average Child Support Payment in Connecticut?

There is no official way to determine the average child support payment in Connecticut. Child support in Connecticut is not calculated using any fixed amount. Every child support situation is different, with every case having its own contributing factors that make each case a unique scenario for all involved. Every case has different elements that must be considered for the court to calculate the amount of support you will pay or receive. Those elements include:

• Combined Net Income: The first thing the family court generally looks at is the combined net income of both parents. The court investigates every element of both parents’ earning capacities, including monthly wages, bonuses, commissions, freelance earnings, and other self-employment income.
• Basic Support Obligation: Connecticut does have a pre-established basic support obligation that comes from the combined net income and the number of children being supported. The basic support obligation for one child in Connecticut is $229 per week.
• Income Shares: Once the basic support obligation is determined, that number is then divided between both parents proportionally in accordance with their respective incomes. Generally, the parent with the higher income will pay more.
• Duration: In Connecticut, child support generally lasts until the child either turns 18 years old or graduates from high school, whichever comes first.

FAQs

What Is the Average Child Support Payment for One Child in Connecticut?

It can be difficult to officially determine the average child support payment for one child in Connecticut. However, the basic support obligation for one child in Connecticut is $229 per week, an amount determined by state guidelines that combine the total net weekly income of both parents and the number of children that are being supported. Your lawyer can help you determine a fair amount to be paid if you are the one owing child support.

How Does the State of Connecticut Determine Child Support?

The state of Connecticut generally calculates child support by using both parents’ weekly income and the number of children being supported to reach a basic support obligation. That amount is then divided proportionally between the parents based on their income, with the higher-earning parent generally paying more. Different unique factors, such as health insurance, may also play a part in determining the total amount of child support.

How Long Is Child Support Paid in Connecticut?

In most cases, child support is generally paid for the entirety of childhood and ends when the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever event happens first. However, there are sometimes exceptions to the rule. For children with special needs who are still financially dependent, child support can extend to 26 years old. Courts can also order extended child support up to age 23 for certain kids attending college.

Should I Get a Lawyer to Help With Child Support?

Yes, you should get a lawyer to help with child support. Regardless of whether you are paying child support or receiving it, you should enlist the help of an experienced child support lawyer just to make sure you are not being taken advantage of. The more complex your case is, the easier it can be for certain details to fall through the cracks and be ignored. A lawyer can protect your rights and guide you through the process.

Reach Out Today

At Reich & Truax, PLLC, we can help you determine the most effective course of action regarding child support. We can help you receive it in a timely manner or make sure you are paying a fair amount. Contact us to speak to a member of our team about your case.