How Are Child Support Matters Decided In Pennsylvania?

The parent/person who has primary physical custody is able to file for child support. In Pennsylvania, there are child support guidelines that determine how much money has to be paid. Child support is figured out based on the parties’ net monthly incomes. Net monthly incomes are arrived at by subtracting from the gross amount only those deductions that are mandatory. After putting in each person’s filing status, the two net incomes are combined and then, based on that amount of combined money, there is an amount of support to be paid based on the number of children.

By example, if one parent makes three times as much as the other parent, then they pay or contribute three times as much in child support. There can be additions or subtractions to that amount. For example, if Dad provides the medical insurance for the child, the portion of the premium that Dad pays for the child can be subtracted from the amount of his child support owed, because medical is deemed to be a shared expense.

In Pennsylvania, support is retroactive from the day of filing, it’s mandatory wage attached, and all the money that’s paid in support goes to a central collections agency called PACSES. When you’re going through the court system, you get assigned a PACSES number. PACSES are the accountants, the record keepers. People create usernames and passwords and log into their accounts so they can see what their balance is, how much in back support is owed, when the last payment was collected.

For more information on Child Support Matters In Pennsylvania, a phone consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling or texting (215) 750-9202 today.