Married couples and unmarried couples alike in Illinois oftentimes find themselves in a difficult position: ready to end their relationships. For an infinite number of reasons, sometimes relationships just don’t work out. However, when couples separate and they have minor children together, the split can get quite a bit more complicated. Child support is one issue that can be especially contentious.
So, what are the basics that our readers need to know about child support? Well, for starters, it is important to understand that although traditionally it has been the father of the child paying child support to the mother of the child, that isn’t always the case in today’s society. Today, a mother could be just as easily ordered to pay support to the father, if the circumstances warrant such a decision. The wide variety of factors that are involved in a court’s decision to award child support, and how much, will be weighed in making this decision.
Fortunately, family law courts in Illinois have child support guidelines that they usually adhere to when entering child support orders. These guidelines inform judges as to amounts based on the income of the parents, the child’s needs and many other factors.
Perhaps the most important basic thing to know about child support orders is just that – it is an order from the court. That means it must be obeyed. When in Illinois residents are ordered to pay child support and they fail to do so, there will be consequences. Parents, who want what is best for their children, are required to adhere to the terms of a child support court order.
