Russell W. Crumbley
Attorney at Law
521 Madison St., Suite 201
Huntsville, AL 35801
Phone: (256) 539-4464
Fax: (256) 539-4462
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Once the determination is made that a divorce should be granted, the primary concern of the court becomes the well-being of the minor children of the parties. It is the responsibility of the court to determine the amount that the non-custodial parent is responsible to contribute for support of the minor children.
The court must use the Child Support Guidelines adopted by the Alabama Supreme Court in setting the amount of child support, unless the court specifically finds that following the Guidelines would be unjust and inappropriate. The court combines the income of the divorcing parents, determines from the Guidelines the applicable amount of child support for the number of children of the marriage based upon that income, adjusts this amount for work-related child care expenses and health insurance premiums, and then assigns a portion of that support amount to the non-custodial parent based on his/her percentage share of the combined income.
The most important factors to be considered by the court in making an award of child support are the needs of the children and the parent's ability to earn and pay his/her portion of the support. A parent's obligation to pay child support may be based on his or her demonstrated ability to earn a certain amount of money, not what that parent is choosing to earn.
Child support is paid until the child reaches the age of majority, but can be extended beyond that time under certain circumstances, such as during post majorit education (college), or where the child is mentally or physically disabled.
Are you facing divorce or do you need legal advice on a domestic law matter? Please contact Russell W. Crumbley at 256-539-4464 to schedule a consultation or click here to complete a short form and a member of our firm will contact you shortly. Thank you.
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