In 2019, Ohio’s House Bill 366 made a major update to the state’s child support guidelines. This new law modernized the child support system to make it more equitable for all parties involved. The bill’s passing was the first update to child support since the 1990s.
Since the cost of living and income levels have risen over the past decade, the changes were welcomed by many child advocacy groups and parents. Today, the laws remain in place, helping to provide a fairer process for all parties. If you need to pay for your child’s needs, here is what you need to know about new child support law in Ohio
The Income Shares Model
One of the many changes center around the calculation for custody. Under this new model, the court will take into consideration both parents’ income sources, including overtime pay, bonus, and commissions.
With that information, the court will determine the support based on if the both parents were still together and have a combined income. The child support is divided between the parents based on their specific portion of the combined income.
Why the change? Ohio courts wanted to make sure that the child’s standard of living does not decrease after the separation. Along with that, both parents will have to make a contribution to the child’s financial needs. However, the parent with the higher income will still be responsible for paying out a larger portion of the child support.
These models are often considered fairer than previous models, which only looked at the income level of the non-custodial parent. With those models, even if the non-custodial parent had a higher income, they often made a lower amount of child support payments. This approach allows both parents to have a stake in contributing to their child’s financial needs.
Changes to the Income Cap
Another major change is to the income cap used to determine child support payments. Previously, Ohio had a $150,000 cap on combined parental income, which was used to calculate child support.
However, the new law updates this cap to reflect current economic conditions. That means that the income cap may be higher or lower than the previous limit depending on the economic situation.
Detailed Calculation of Child Support Obligation
Along with changes in the income cap, the new law also provides a detailed calculation of child support obligation based on guideline income. This calculation takes into account various factors, such as:
- The income of both parents
- The number of children
- The cost of health insurance
The updated calculation formula provides a more accurate assessment of child support obligations. Additionally, it also considers the specific circumstances of each case, so there is no more “one size-fits-all” approach to calculating payments.
Learn More About the New Ohio Child Support Law
The new child support law in Ohio represents a step forward in ensuring that child support payments are fair and equitable. With the income shares model, updating the income cap, and providing a detailed calculation of child support obligation, these laws make sure that children receive the financial support they need, regardless of their parents’ marital status.
If you would like to learn more about the new child support laws in Ohio, reach out to the legal team at Axelrod Law Office in Lake County, OH. Call our office at (440) 271-8126 or submit a contact form to schedule a free, confidential legal consultation.