Legal Question in Family Law in Alabama

Re: What should we do?

The method for determining the amount of child support to be paid on a monthly basis is uniform throughout the state. We call it the child support GUIDELINES. There is a formula approved by the Supreme Court of Alabama that is used.The Gross income for both parents is used as well as a credit to the parent who PAYS for health insurance for the child and a credit if the custodial parent has to pay for DAYCARE. These are about the only credits used. Once this is determined, there is a chart that is used. Across the top of the chart is the number of minor children involved. Down the side of the chart the combined Gross income of the parties is listed in 50 Dollar increments. You go down the chart until you get to the nearest match on the income then go across that line to the correct number of children. Where these two intersect there will be a dollar figure. This is the TOTAL child support for both parents. You then figure your percentage of the total. In other words, if the two parents made exactly the same amount of money, his child support would be one-half of the figure on the chart.

The FINAL DECREE OF DIVORCE of the parties should set out what each parents obligation is concerning insurance and medical bills.

I hope this helps you with your problem.I can be reached at [email protected] or 205-921-0202. This information is for the State of Alabama only.

Other things your husband may buy for the child are not figured in to the child support.However,if he does a lot, it may make him look better in the eyes of the Judge.