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Child Support in Massachusetts |
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| Child support (CS) in Massachusetts is based on a formula that applies most strictly when the Payor earns no more than $100,000 and the total combined gross income of the parties does not exceed $135,000. However, people often do not adhere to these limits.
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| What makes it tough for the payor is that CS is calculated on gross income, disregarding the
taxes paid from this income. The recipient of child support pays no taxes on these funds.
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The Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines take these variables into account:
The gross income of the payor.
The gross income of the recipient, minus the first $20,000 of income.
The number of child support eligible children
Whether a child support eligible child is older or younger than 13
How much routine child care costs
Which of the two parties is paying for health insurance, and how much.
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Click on the calculator to open it.
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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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What does child support pay for?
Answer:
Child support pays for all routine expenses - including food, clothes, part payment for the
house and utilities, and routine school expenses.
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What does child support not pay for?
Answer: Extracurricular activities, unsecured health care expenses and summer
camp are not included in child support and are usually shared in some fashion by the parents.
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Do people have any discretion in determining the amount of child support?
Answer: My impression is that people have more discretion in increasing the amount of child support,
than in decreasing it... However, there are mitigating factors that can be taken into account,
such as having children in another family, or having a child in college.
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If
you are uncertain whether your case is suitable for mediation,
contact Dr.
Thomson, for a FREE consultation about mediating your
issues. |
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