Child Support in Oklahoma
It is import to know that while child support is paid from one parent to the other, the support is not for the parent receiving it, it is paid for the child. The amount of child support to be paid is generally based on the Oklahoma Child Support Guidelines which provide standardized rules for determining the amount of child support to be paid during and after a divorce, as well as for the support of children born outside of marriage. Any amount of child support to be paid will be based on the number of children, the combined or gross income of both the custodial parent and non-custodial parent, the custodial arrangement, availability and cost of health insurance for the children and work or education related daycare expenses.
Child support is paid until the child/children reach eighteen (18) years of age or, if a child is regularly enrolled in and attending high school, other means of high school education, or an alternative high school education program as a full-time student, until the child graduates from high school or until the age of twenty (20) years, whichever occurs first.
Child Support Modification
Child support can be modified if the situation changes, for instance, an increase or decrease in the needs of the child, an increase or decrease in the income of the parents, changes in child care expenses, changes in the cost of medical insurance, or when a child reaches the age of majority or otherwise ceases to be entitled to support.
Child Support and Visitation
Contrary to popular belief, child support is not dependent on visitation, and visitation is not conditioned on child support being paid. That is to say, just because a parent has failed to pay child support does not mean that parent is not entitled to visitation, and just because a parent has not had visitation, does not mean the other parent is not entitled to child support.
