Massachusetts courts use the Child Support Guidelines and a standard worksheet. The calculation may consider both parents’ incomes, the parenting arrangement, childcare costs, health insurance, support obligations for other children, and certain additional expenses.
FAQs Category: Tewksbury Child Support
Yes. A parent may request a modification when the applicable legal requirements are met. Changes in income, parenting time, childcare, insurance, or a child’s needs may justify reviewing an existing order.
The court may consider business income, expenses, retained earnings, benefits, and personal costs paid through the business. Financial statements, tax returns, bank records, and business documents may be needed to establish an accurate income figure.
Parents may propose an agreement, but the court must review and approve it. If the proposed amount differs from the guidelines, the agreement should explain why the deviation is appropriate.
No. Support may continue after a child turns 18 depending on the child’s age, education, dependency, and living arrangements. Review the court order before stopping or changing payments.
Not every child support matter requires full representation. Legal advice may be especially helpful when income is disputed, a parent owns a business, the proposed calculation appears incorrect, circumstances have changed, or payments have not been made.