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Support of Minor Children

Quick Facts

Support order may be made a lien or charge against property of obligor.
Seasonal income can result in consistent monthly payments or payments weighted by months according to income.
Extended periods of change in custody can alter obligation.

In a decree of dissolution, legal separation, or annulment, the court will include an order regarding the maintenance of the minor children, and for the maintenance of any child of the parents. The court may convert any child support order into a lien or charge on the property of the obligor, either at the time of the entry of the judgment or by subsequent order upon proper application.

Seasonal Income

If a parent has a seasonal income, then the court can opt to establish an order such that the obligor makes either the same monthly payments throughout the year or monthly payments that reflect variations in income.

Satisfaction of Child Support Obligation

The court may conclude that an obligor has satisfied a child support obligation by providing a home, care, and support for the child while the child is living with the obligor. To do so, the court must find that the child was integrated into the family of the obligor with the consent of the obligee and child support payments were not assigned to the public agency.

Other Custodians

If a child resides with a person other than a parent and the court approves of the custody arrangement, then the court may order child support payments to be made to the custodian regardless of whether the person has legal custody.

Adjustment to Support Order

A support order may provide that during any period of time of 30 consecutive days or longer that the child is residing with the obligor, the amount of support otherwise due under the order may be reduced.