Why 50/50 Custody Time Doesn't Always Mean Equal Child Support

Understanding the Connection Between Parenting Time and Support

When Illinois parents negotiate custody arrangements, a common misconception surfaces: if we split time 50/50, neither parent pays child support. This assumption, while understandable, overlooks how Illinois actually calculates support.

The Income Shares Model

Illinois uses an income shares model that considers:

Both parents' net incomes

The number of children

Healthcare and childcare costs

Educational expenses

Even with equal parenting time, if one parent earns significantly more than the other, child support may still be ordered.

The 40% Threshold

Under Illinois law, a parent must have at least 146 overnight stays (40% of the year) to qualify for shared parenting calculations. Below this threshold, standard guidelines apply regardless of your actual schedule.

Real-World Example

Consider a case where:

Parent A earns ,000 annually

Parent B earns ,000 annually

Both have exactly 50% parenting time

Even with equal time, Parent A would likely still owe support to Parent B because the children's standard of living should be consistent in both homes.

What This Means For Your Case

Don't assume equal time means equal financial obligations. Each case requires careful analysis of:

1. Both parents' actual incomes 2. The children's specific needs 3. Work-related childcare costs 4. Health insurance premiums 5. Educational expenses

The bottom line: Child support in Illinois aims to ensure children maintain a similar lifestyle in both homes—regardless of how time is divided.

Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!