How Does Having More Than One Child Change Child Support?

Filing to receive child support is your right as a parent. Your children are entitled to receive the financial support that they deserve. While you are doing your best as a parent, you may need help along the way. Still, you may have questions about child support and how the payments are to be calculated. Specifically, you may be wondering how having more than one child will affect how much you can receive. The law in Oklahoma lists several factors that the court will consider when determining child support and how having additional children can affect how much you can receive. Here’s more on that and some helpful information on how to receive support for your children.

How Child Support Is Calculated

In Oklahoma, not everyone that files for support is entitled to it. Parents that do not have custody of their children cannot receive support. Parents that live together also cannot seek support from one another. Further, support is only calculated when the parents cannot come to an agreement on the amount.

If there is no agreement, then you must file for child support through the family court and/or the Department of Human Services Child Support Division (OKDHSCCS).  They will look at several factors to determine if either party is entitled to support and, if so, how much. Some of the factors they will look at are listed below:

• The income of both parents
• The number of overnights each parent has with the child
• The ability of each parent to work
• The age of the child

In Oklahoma, the income of both parents is one of the primary factors in calculating the amount of support. Income does not only mean money that you receive from working. It can include money from investments, disability benefits, unemployment benefits, and even lottery winnings.

Does Having More Than One Child Affect Child Support?

If you have more than one child with the person that you are seeking support from, then this will likely affect the amount of support that you will receive. Generally, the more children that you have with the person that you are requesting support from, the more you will receive in child support. This assumes, however, that all children are under the same custody arrangement. For example, if you have sole custody of two children that you share with your ex, then you will likely be entitled to more support than if you just had one with them. But if you do not have sole custody of both children, then simply having more than one child with that person may not affect your support amount.

It is important to remember that there are several factors that go into whether you are entitled to support and how much. While the number of kids you have with your ex will be relevant, it may not entitle you to more support. It will be impossible to predict your child support without a thorough examination of both you and your ex’s income and custody arrangement. Because it is difficult to account for all the factors that may go into how support is calculated, it is recommended that you talk with a family law attorney to get an idea of whether you are entitled to support and how much you can expect to receive.

Oklahoma Family Law Attorneys

Child support can be a thorny issue to deal with, so it is recommended that you consult with an experienced family law attorney who can carefully guide you through this process. You will want someone fighting for your rights as this can provide you with peace of mind knowing that a professional is representing your interests and needs.

With over 17 years of experience, Inner Vision Legal is a leading family law firm that has provided tangible assistance to clients relating to family law matters, including child support, child custody, and divorce. Inner Vision Legal always aims to generate the best results for its clients, no matter how complex the situation. Reach out to Inner Vision Legal by calling (405) 724-2525 or contacting us online.