Recent changes to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' child support guidelines affected several areas of the law. If you are a military parent, it is important to know how these changes could affect you and how much child support you are paying or receiving.
Massachusetts Child Support Lawyers
The changes can be summarized as follows:
- A parent is now able to request child support modification of an order three or more years old, without showing a change in circumstances.
- Income now includes second jobs, disability and Social Security income, and other forms of income.
- Child care costs can now be deducted from the income of the parent paying day care.
- Other aspects of how income is defined have changed. Speak to an attorney about how these changes may apply to you and your support order.
- Other major expenses, such as extracurricular activities, are no longer considered the responsibility of only one parent.
- Alimony can be awarded over and above a child support order.
- Child support no longer increases automatically with the child's age.
Custody and visitation are now called "parenting time" and the new law presumes two-thirds time with the residential parent and one-third with the other parent, though this is negotiable.
Establishing child custody, child support and parenting plans can become complex matters, especially when one or both parents are members of the military. For trusted advice and legal guidance, consult a Boston military divorce lawyer at The Massachusetts Family Law Group. Call (800) 763-1030 or contact us online to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation.
