Ogden parents have a legal duty to provide financial support for their children. This financial support is called child support. Parents in Ogden may have a legal duty to determine whether their child will reside. This is called child custody, or custodianship.
In Ogden, establishing child support is often done as part of a divorce. A divorce is a legal end to a marriage between two people. However, child support and residence issues often arise between parents who never married, but had children together.
Establishing Financial Support in Ogden, Utah
Financial child support is paid from one parent to the other parent to provide care for things such as diapers, school tuition and shelter. The parent who pays the financial support is called the non-custodial parent. This means the child doesn’t live with the parent on a full-time basis.
The only time parents don’t have to provide financial support is when their minor child is when the child is emancipated, has completed high school or turns 18 years old. In some situations, a parent may have to continue to pay child support for their child beyond the age of 18 years old. This may occur when their child is disabled and continues to be dependent on their parents.
Utah support guidelines calculate how much a parent pays. This is called their support obligation. The guidelines include three things: childcare expenses, base support and medical care. Within the guidelines is a table. The table, which is based on the parents’ incomes, determines the monthly support obligation.
The financial obligation set in the guidelines usually can’t be changed. However, a judge can order a different monthly financial support obligation if one or both parents make the request. This is called a support modification. It’s important to note that a parent or both parents must have a good legal reason to lower or increase the support payment.
Understanding Child Custodianship in Ogden, Utah
Where a child resides while growing up in Ogden is often left to the courts to decide. This is the only way a parent can have legal status awarded to them. It is also the only way to maintain their legal rights to make decisions regarding how their child is raised.
In Utah, residence issues for a child can be part of a divorce. A parent who was never married to the other parent can also seek to establish a child’s physical and legal residence. It’s important to note that legal guardians can also seek the court’s help in determining where a child lives and how they are raised.
There are only two types of custody: physical and legal custodianship. Physical custodianship refers to where a child lives. Sole custodianship means the child lives with one parent. Joint custodianship refers to the child living with each parent at different times. Unless one parent has committed domestic violence in the family or the child has special needs, joint custodianship is usually in the child’s best interest.
According to Utah law, is given the right to make decisions about their child. This is called legal custodianship. It is the legal right to make important decisions like where the child attends school, if they can join the military before they are 18 years old or get a tattoo.
Parents can be granted sole or joint legal custodianship. The term “joint” means both parents decide how their child is raised. If one parent is granted sole custody, that parent only has the right to make those important decisions.
Seek Help for Child Support and Custodianship Issues
How much money you pay or receive for your child is fluid. Custodianship is also ever changing. This means that you will need help understanding your rights and establishing agreements that involve your children. You should never make a decision regarding your child’s residence or support without a lawyer’s assistance.
You can’t severely change your legal rights to raise and financially support your child. Whether you are getting a divorce or never married to the other parent, contact Kaufman Nichols Kaufman. Kaufman Nichols Kaufman Attorneys at Law specialize in family law that addresses family relationships. Contact us today for assistance.