CHILD SUPPORT
The Connecticut child support guideline formula is based on the monthly net incomes of both parents. To determine the net income of the parties, all taxable sources of income are reduced by the applicable federal, state and local income taxes, based upon all allowable exemptions, deductions and credits. Family Law Software calculates the accurate after tax net income and incorporates that amount into the Connecticut child support worksheet.
The parties’ net incomes are further adjusted for medical insurance premiums and other court ordered insurance, court ordered alimony payments for former spouses, court ordered child support payments for other children, and in some instances, a credit for other children for whom there is no current court ordered chid support.
After all of these adjustments to the parties’ gross incomes, a chart based on the combined net income of the parties and the number of children provides a basic weekly child support amount that is used to set the payor’s obligation based on the parent’s percentage of the total adjusted net income.
The child support amount can be further adjusted by such factors as child care costs, and unreimbursed medical expenses.
Connecticut law provides that, if the parties’ combined net incomes exceed $4,000 per week the basic support amount may be in a specified range. The lower amount is simply the basic guideline amount that would apply if combined incomes were $4,000 per week. The upper amount is the amount that would apply if the percentage of income allocable to the child support at the $4,000 bracket continued to apply to all of the combined net income.
The parties can agree to a different amount of child support or the judge can enter an order for a different amount as a deviation from the guidelines. Family Law Software has a variety of helpful calculators to use to look at how much each person has to spend per month after tax in order to decide whether or not the guideline amount is appropriate or a deviated amount would better fit the facts and circumstances of the case.
ALIMONY
In Connecticut, alimony is based on a number of financial factors in the case. Unlike many other states, Connecticut does not have a statutory formula to set a presumptive alimony amount.
Family Law Software is invaluable in Connecticut for the analysis of the appropriate amount of alimony with calculators and after tax cash flow reports that assist in determining what amount would fit the needs of the parties.