Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts
In MA, if I marry a man with a child who pays child support can my income be factored into the amount that he pays?
Asked on 5/28/13, 1:32 pm
1 Answer from Attorneys
Alan Pransky
Law Office of Alan J. Pransky
In most cases, remarriage has no effect on a prior child support order. However, where the new spouse has high income or assets, this could be different. Child support is based on certain concepts. One of them is that each parent has to use their income for their own living expenses. While a new spouse has no obligation to support a step child, they do have an obligation to support their spouse. Where the new spouse has enough income to support themselves and the parent, this could mean that the parent has more income available to support the child. As such, a judge could change the child support by considering this factor.
Answered on 5/29/13, 6:37 am