Child support in Oklahoma is the financial obligation of a parent to support his or her biological children, whether that parent is married to the other parent or not.
Typically, child support in Oklahoma must be paid until the child reaches the age of 18. However, payments may continue beyond the age of 18 if the child 1) lives at home, 2) is a student, 3) is dependent on his or her parents or 4) is physically or mentally disabled, in which case child support in Tulsa may last the child’s entire life.
The purpose of child support in Oklahoma
Child support in Oklahoma is most often linked to child custody. Often, the parent who has physical custody of the children is entitled to receive child support from the non-custodial parent. Oklahoma acknowledges that there are extra costs related to child custody. For example, the custodial parent usually spends more money on housing, food, transportation, medical insurance, etc. So, child support in Oklahoma is awarded to the custodial parent to these costs evenly between the parents.
Determining child support in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, parents may negotiate child support agreements on their own and present these terms for approval by a judge as part of a prenuptial or divorce settlement agreement. However, if the parents cannot come to an agreement, the court will calculate and make the child support arrangement for them.
Oklahoma calculates the amount of child support to be paid using a set of specific guidelines that take into account the income of the parents, the number of children, the costs of daycare and health insurance, as well as special needs such as tutoring and transportation from one parent to the other for visitation.
This data is then plugged into a formula that will compute the minimum amount of child support that the custodial parent is entitled to receive from the non-custodial parent. Typically, even if parents share custody 50/50, the parent with the highest income will owe child support to the other parent.
Estimating child support in Oklahoma
If you wish to estimate the amount of child support you should receive or will be required to pay, you can use the child support calculator on the Oklahoma Department of Human Services website. You can also download a copy of the Oklahoma Child Support Guidelines as well as instructions on how to use the calculator.
The estimate generated by the child support calculator can then be used as a basis for negotiating child support with the other parent, or for seeking a modification of previously ordered child support payments.
Alternately, you can find out how much child support you must pay or should receive by consulting with an experienced Tulsa family law attorney who can calculate the amount for you. Bear in mind, however, that only a judge can order child support, so whatever figure you or your attorney arrive at will still have to be approved by the court.
Initial Strategy Session: Tulsa Family Law Attorney
For a low-cost, private consultation, call the Seventh Street Tulsa Law Firm Tulsa attorneys at (918) 932-2777. If you prefer e-mail correspondence, please send your question or inquiry using the form at the right side of this page.
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