Rhode Island Child Support from Soup To Nuts by a Rhode Island Attorney

Establishing Rhode Island Child Support:

How is Rhode Island (RI) Child Support determined in divorce cases, paternity cases, child support cases and child visitation cases?

In most cases, child support is determined by the "Rhode Island Family Court Child Support Formula and Guidelines". In the vast majority of child support cases in Rhode Island, the minimum Rhode Island child support guideline amount is used to determine child support. Article by RI Child support Attorney David Slepkow (401-437-1100)

However, a parent has the right to seek more then the minimum guidelines because the guidelines are supposed to be the minimum amount a parent will receive as child support. In Theory, The Guidelines are intended to be the floor rather then the ceiling for child support. In actuality, the minimum guidelines are used in the vast majority of Rhode Island Child Support cases.

The court is entitled to look at the assets of a party in determining child support. The Family Court can also look at extraordinary expenses of either party and can look at the needs and expenses of the parties. The Court can look at any circumstances the judge believes appropriate in determining child support. If a person is underemployed or refusing to work when capable of working then the court can determine the earning capacity of the party. Some Judges consistently go over the minimum child support guidelines.

The Rhode Island Child Support guidelines uses an income shares model in which the adjusted gross income of both parents are used to determine the correct amount of child support. Essentially, the guidelines look at the combined adjusted Gross income of both parties. Adjusted gross income means the gross income of a party with certain required deductions from gross income for medical insurance & dental insurance. Another required deduction is for additional minor dependants (children). There are also certain discretionary deductions that some judges may allow such as life insurance costs.

After determining the combined adjusted gross income of the parties, the Rhode Island Child Support Guidelines should be utilized to determine what the state of Rhode Island believes that two parents with that amount of adjusted gross income would pay for support if the parents were still residing together. After that number is determined daycare expenses are added onto that amount.

The non custodial parent pursuant to the minimum guidelines should be obligated to pay a percentage of that amount set forth above that is the same same percentage of that persons adjusted gross income to the total adjusted gross income of both parties.

For example: If Mom makes $1000 a month and dad makes $4000 a month and each has $200 dollars of medical insurance payments then the adjusted gross income of mom is $800 and the adjusted gross income of dad is 3800. The combined adjusted gross income of both is $4600. Dad makes $82.6 percent of the combined adjusted gross income of the parties and is required to pay 82.6 percent of the minimum guideline amount guideline amount plus the daycare expenses.

The next step is to get a copy of the most recent version of the Rhode Island Child Support Guidelines . This can be obtained at the Rhode Island Family Court. It is perplexing that, I cannot easily find the most recent guidelines on google . You need to look at the "Rhode Island Monthly Basic support Obligations" (effective November 1, 2007) (These Guidelines recently replaced the 2002 Child Support Guidelines) Please note that one of the most significant changes to the new 2007 guidelines is the "self support reserve for Child Support payors with very limited income.

Assuming that the parties have two children the child support guidelines indicate that the correct child support amount is $956. assuming there is no daycare* in this hypothetical then the father would be obligated to pay 82.6 percent or $956 per month which would be $789.65 per month or $183 per week. (Please note that these figures use the 2004 guidelines not the new 2007 child support guidelines)

*(if there is daycare then add the work related child care costs minus the federal tax credit. Please note that the state of Rhode Island uses a rule of thumb of approximately 75 percent to 80 percent of the actual daycare expense)

The Guidelines in theory and in most cases in actuality are the minimum amount a person is required to pay. The judge has discretion to go over the minimum Rhode Island Child Support Guidelines if there is justification under the circumstances.

Some judges in Rhode island consistently go over the guidelines. The types of circumstances that may justify a judge issuing a child support order above the Rhode Island Child Support guidelines are:

a) Substantial assets

b) standard of living and expenses that far exceed reported gross income

c) extraordinary necessary expenses and needs related for the child

If the parties agree to child support below the Rhode Island child Support Guidelines, in some limited circumstances, it may be allowed. These circumstances could include, visitation exceeding the norm, extraordinary payments of the child expenses or even sometimes just based on the parties agreement.

Private School and Child Support:

In Rhode Island (RI) Divorce and Child support cases, Can I get the father or mother of my child to be ordered to pay for private school education?

No, unless there is a contractual obligation, a stipulated consent order or there is an ongoing divorce.

Most judges take the position that there are suitable public schools for children to attend. However, If there is something in writing such as a property settlement agreement obligating one parent to pay for the private school education of the child, then the parent may be obligated to pay for the private school education. Article by Rhode island attorney David Slepkow (401-437-1100)

Also, the parent could be ordered to pay for private school education in a divorce on a temporary basis, especially when it is in the middle of a school year and it would be disruptive for the child to transfer to a public school. Parents can certainly negotiate payment of private school education and the judge of The Family Court will usually approve the settlement in a court Order. That stipulated consent order could be enforced in a Family Court contempt proceeding.

College and Child Support:

Can I get the father or mother of my child to be ordered to pay for college?

No, Unless there is a written contractual agreement obligating payment of college expenses. Rhode Island child support terminates when a child turns 18 and graduates high school but not longer then the child attaining the age of 19. (Unless the child is severely disabled and then it goes unil the child turns 21)

The Court loses jurisdiction over the child when the child attains the age as set forth above. The Court cannot order payment of college but a Court may enforce a written property settlement agreement between the parties obligating payment of college.

Overtime and Child Support:

What if my child's parent works overtime? Will overtime be included in child support?

There is no standard law or rule in Rhode Island regarding whether or not the non-possessory parent's overtime will be used to calculate child support. One Judge in Rhode Island consistently rules that overtime compensation cannot be used to calculate child support. Article By Attorney David Slepkow 401-437-1100

Other Judges in Rhode Island have different opinions regarding overtime. The Family Court is a court of equity and fairness. Judges in Rhode Island will typically look at whether or not a person consistently works overtime over a substantial period of time. Judges may also look at whether or not overtime is consistently offered to a spouse. If overtime is infrequent or not typically offered Judges may be hesitant to calculate overtime as a factor of child support. In that case, many attorneys argue that a person's income should be calculated using their W2 or gross income for the entire calendar year. By calculating gross income over an entire calendar year even infrequent overtime becomes an element of child support.

Judges may also look at other factors such as the needs and expenses of both parties and any extraordinary expenses for the child. At least one Judge has suggested that the possessory parent get a percentage of the overtime that is worked by the non-possessory parent. Other Judges in Rhode Island believe that overtime should always be a factor in child support. Often the issue of overtime is negotiated by the lawyers prior to any formal ruling by the Judge.

Daycare and Child Support

Who is going to pay for my child's daycare?

The Rhode Island minimum child support guidelines take into account both the importance and expense of daycare. The child support guidelines and worksheet are used to determine the proper amount of child support to be paid by the non-possessory parent. The bottom line is that a party will be ordered to pay approximately the same percentage of the daycare that the party makes in relation to that party's percentage of the combined gross income of both parties.

For example: If the husband makes $100,000.00 and the wife makes $50,000.00 the combined gross income for the parties is $150,000.00. Therefore, the husband makes 66 percent of the income and will be ordered to pay 66 percent of the daycare in addition to child support. (There may be an adjustment to take into account the federal tax credit.) This amount is added onto the minimum Child Support Guidelines amount.

Modifying Rhode Island Child Support:

How is Child support modified in Rhode Island divorce and family law cases?

Child support in Rhode Island is not automatically modified when there is a change in circumstances. The parent must file a motion to modify child support. When a motion for modification of child support is filed a court date will be set by the clerk of the Rhode Island Family Court. In order to modify child support there must be a substantial change in circumstances. Under RI Law, a new child support amount does not run retroactive to when the circumstances actually changed! The new child support order should run retroactive to the date of the filing of the motion. Article by Attorney David Slepkow (401-437-1100)

Therefore, you should not wait too long after circumstances change until you file for a modification of Rhode Island Child Support. There must be at least a ten percent change for a modification to occur unless the party agrees otherwise. You should contact a Rhode Island Divorce or Family law lawyer / attorney to see whether you are eligible for a modification of child support.

What may constitute a substantial change in Circumstances pursuant to Rhode Island family / child support law?

1. unemployment

2. disability

3. new dependant child

4. decrease in income of either party

5. increase in income of either party

6. increase in cost of daycare

7. increase in cost of medical insurance

8. a change in the financial circumstances of the either parent such as inheritance, acquiring assets

9. either party obtaining social security benefits (SSI or SSDI) or afdc benefits

10. new RI Child Support Guidelines promulgated.

11. loss of overtime income

12 a substantial bonus of either party

13 any other change in circumstances that is recognized by the Court.

Terminating Rhode Island Child Support:

How do I terminate my child support obligation and stop wage garnishment in Rhode Island?

In Rhode Island (RI) child support does not automatically terminate when a child reaches 18 years old! Termination of a child support order is not automatic in Rhode Island! A child support order / obligation will only terminate if a motion to terminate child support is granted by a Judge of The Rhode Island Family Court. Unlike a motion to modify child support, a DR6 financial statement is not necessary unless there is an additional child in which a child support obligation will continue. If there is an additional child under 18 then a motion to terminate child support is really in essence a motion for modification for child support. Article by David Slepkow 401-437-1100.

Pursuant to RI law, child support is eligible to be terminated upon a child attaining the age of 18 and graduating high school but not longer then the child turning 19 years old. If the child is 18 years old and still in high school than child support may continue until the child graduates high school but not longer then the child attaining the age of 19. If a child is determined to be seriously disabled then child support may continue until the child attains the age of 21. If the Judge finds good cause the child support might continue for three months after graduation from high school.

A person should file a motion to terminate child support approximately 30-40 days prior to the child's graduation from high school. If the child did not finish high school then a person should file their motion 30-40 days prior to the child's 18th birthday. It will take a approximately 30-40 days until the clerk can schedule a hearing for the termination motion.

After the motion to terminate child support, the attorney must submit proper documentation and orders to the court, the obligors employer (to stop wage garnishment) and to the reciprocal clerk (to amend the computer records) If the computer records are not updated then the computer will continue to show an arrearage which may cause problems including automatic intercept of your tax refund, inability to obtain a passport among other problems.