Child Support - Writers Forum

Diego · 06-19-2007, 02:28 PM

How much is the average child support check for one child, and how often must a person send a child support check?

Please don't tell me to google it. This is a research forum, and I am researching.

Selorian · 06-19-2007, 03:33 PM

There is no average. The amount is based on the income of the parent paying the support and the age and needs of the child. The schedule varies as well. It can be weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or yearly.

Oh, and a Google search would have turned up that information.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

A new method of child maintenance calculation came into effect on March 3, 2003. The previous method used a "complex formula of up to 108 pieces of information"[5], by first calculating the total child maintenance required based on the children's ages, then calculating the non-resident parents income after various allowances were subtracted, and finally working out what portion of the calculated maintenance was to be paid by the non-resident parent, based on their income.[6]
Under the new method the basis for calculating maintenance has been simplified, with a fixed percentage of the non-resident parents net income being taken, from 15% for one child, 20% for two, and 25% for three or more. The maintenance was also reduced if the non-resident parent had children in their current family, reducing the payment by 15% if they had one, 20% if they had two, and 25% for three or more.[7] Cases assessed using the previous method will remain that way until the new arrangements have been proven viable[8]. Some special cases may be transferred to the new arrangements before to this, for example if the non-resident parent is also subject to a separate claim made since the new method was introduced. As of December 2005, 930,000 cases (63% of the total) remain under the old rules

Jocelyn · 06-19-2007, 03:38 PM

It's usually based on the supporter's earnings, but that percentage is different in each state. Is your story set in a U.S. state, and, if so, which one?

Diego · 06-19-2007, 03:51 PM

Yes it is in the USA, but it's in a fictional state.

I guess it's not really that important. A character just says "This is a child support check for three-hundred and fourteen dollars. It can be all yours if you make their wedding hell."
So I guess it's not specific enough to really matter,

mammamaia · 06-19-2007, 07:09 PM

first of all, i've been there, done that and so i know whereof i speak...

you can't give a child support check to someone else, unless it's from the father himself and hasn't been sent through the state's child welfare agency or whatnot...

if it's a personal check, it would have to be endorsed over to the person you're giving it to... but that makes little sense... why not just have the mother cash it and give them the money?.. especially since signing over her check will leave a paper trail that can get her arrested for paying for whatever mischief she's asking the other person to commit...

you'd better think this over some more...

wmd · 06-19-2007, 08:16 PM

A couple of concerns pop into my head....

It is set in a "fictional state" yet you are worried about the amount of a child support check?

And why is someone paying someone else with a child support check in order to wreak havoc rather than cash?

wmd · 06-19-2007, 08:18 PM

oh and for more on child support check out this link http://www.nolo.com/article.cfm/Obje...EDF2C/118/FAQ/

I googled "how much is child support" and it was the very first link on the page

lin · 06-19-2007, 08:31 PM

I see what you are doing and understand. The line establishes the amount, says something about the person offering it, and illustrates that the offerer is demonstrating that they have the money. If this is in a milieu of welfare barflies or whoever else lives off child support, that's a very valid type of signal and it's a clever, multi-functional line instead of a generic. "I'll give you three hundred to piss in their punch."

If you are worried about he average reader having as much trouble with it as two out six posters here, you could spell it out a little more. "See this child support check for 324 bucks? I'm going down to cash it right now. You think about it and if you're still here when I get back, the money's in your pocket...all you have to do is...."

wmd · 06-19-2007, 08:41 PM

actually I do see it now...

someone is willing to steal from their own kid in order to pay someone else to ef up their ex's wedding... It does say something about the person's character and how strong their motives are.

I don't think I thought about it long enough.

Diego · 06-20-2007, 11:33 PM

Well I don't know if this will assist you but the ex is the father of the child, to whom the check is meant for.

mammamaia · 06-22-2007, 03:24 AM

keep in mind that if the mom uses the money for anything but the child's direct welfare, she can be in big trouble... and making the kid's father's wedding hell won't be seen by anyone as being a legitimate use of the child support!

Loulou · 06-22-2007, 05:09 AM

Your story is set in the US (and I'm in England) but since it's a fictional state I'll offer some help with my experience of CSA.

In this country it's not a cheque. The money (if you're lucky) is paid once a month directly into your bank account. It is around 33% of the absent parent's disposable income. Please note the word disposable, it is important.

If you were fighting to get the money for eight years then there will also be a small amount of back pay on top of the monthly payment. So if say the absent parent is a high earner and missed out years of payments the live-in parent may receive a substantial amount each month. Therefore if the live-in parent were corrupt they could be offering a large sum for the person to ruin a wedding.

dwspig2 · 06-22-2007, 07:29 AM

keep in mind that if the mom uses the money for anything but the child's direct welfare, she can be in big trouble... and making the kid's father's wedding hell won't be seen by anyone as being a legitimate use of the child support!

I think we should also keep in mind the story is fictional. If the author wants to avoid that trouble, then he or she can easily do so - simply refuse to introduce it!

Diego · 06-22-2007, 10:47 AM

I'm just going to have her cash it and pay him.

Who checks to see if she used it correctly, the government?

wmd · 06-22-2007, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diego

I'm just going to have her cash it and pay him.

Who checks to see if she used it correctly, the government?

Sometimes... but it usually doesn't come to that.