Connecticut Child Support Guidelines

The state of Connecticut has child support guidelines designed to use the same standards for all child support cases. This article will focus on explaining how the guidelines work, examine the state agencies involved, and show how payments are processed. Read on for a better understanding of child support guidelines in Connecticut.

Child Support Background and Basics

Each state oversees a child support program created under federal law, Title IV-D of the Social Security Act of 1975. These programs are intended to ensure that children in a single-parent household are provided for by their parents.

Connecticut's child support enforcement program (also known as IV-D) is run through a cooperative effort between two agencies. The Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) in the Connecticut Department of Social Services and the Support Enforcement Services (SES) of the Connecticut Judicial Branch work together to make sure child support payments are gathered and distributed.

The OCSS is responsible for most of the administrative duties associated with child support in Connecticut. These include:

• Establishing legal parentage of children

• Locating non-custodial parents

• Establishing monetary and medical support orders obligating parents to support their children

• Assisting parents in addressing any needs or issues they may have via referrals to other agencies and community resources

• Collecting and distributing child support payments

• Modifying child support orders if appropriate

• Enforcing child support orders and related debt

Children born during a marriage are presumed offspring of the spouses. In other situations, a paternity determination is necessary. If a person agrees they're the birth father, a voluntary Acknowledgement of Parentage is used. For contested cases, the OCSS can call for genetic testing, which may require a court order.

The SES Unit is part of Connecticut's Court Operations Division. There is some overlap between the responsibilities of the OCSS and the SES, but the SES focuses on these aspects of the child support process:

• Monitoring child support awards for compliance with financial, medical insurance, and child care orders

• Initiating court-based enforcement actions such as income withholdings and contempt applications

• Reviewing financial support orders and initiating modifications when the order substantially deviates from the Connecticut Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines, and filing modifications to add medical insurance orders

• Serving as clerk of the court in interstate child support actions initiated under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA)

In addition to their website, the SES is reachable through the Child Support Call Center at 1-800-228-KIDS (5437) or by a direct email request.

Determining the Child Support Obligation

Figuring out what parents will owe each week in child support is a complicated undertaking. The steps involved are clear-cut, but there's a good deal of required number crunching. The OCSS can assist you with your child support application either online or at one of the OCSS offices. The physical custody arrangement more often has an effect as well. The noncustodial parent often makes payments.

Connecticut child support guidelines use an income shares model. This system determines the amount of child support a child would receive if the parents were raising them in a two-parent household. The uniform guidelines are designed to treat each case on equal footing despite earning capacity. This is accomplished through the following steps:

1) Determining a Weekly Net Income

To start a child support order, both parents fill out a Worksheet for the Connecticut Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines. Each birth parent is required to make a full financial disclosure of their gross income per week. There are two different affidavits available for calculations:

• If your gross annual income and total net assets are below $75,000

• If either your gross annual income, total net assets, or a combination of both is over $75,000

This should contain all sources of income and applicable deductions, taxes, and expenses. This may include Supplemental Security Income (SSI), workers' compensation benefits, and more.

2) Create a Combined Net Weekly Income

The adjusted net weekly incomes for both parents are added together to create a combined net disposable income for each week. This simulates the amount of income the parents would have available if they shared a household.

3) Determine the Basic Child Support Obligation

The adjusted combined income of the parents is applied to the Connecticut Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligation table and cross-referenced with the number of children eligible for inclusion in the child support order. This creates the basic child support obligation.

For example, a couple is divorcing and have two minor children. let's say one parent who is the higher-earner has an adjusted net income of $1,500 per week, while the other parent’s is $500. Their combined adjusted net income is $2,000 per week. According to the Schedule, the obligation for two children on that salary is a total of $474 per week.

4) Determining the Basic Child Support Obligation for Each Parent

One parent often has a higher income level than the other. This is reflected when determining the basic child support obligation for each parent. This is accomplished by multiplying the adjusted combined income by the percentage each parent contributed. At first glance, that's confusing. Let's use our example to explain.

The higher-earning parent paid $1,500 of the $2,000 combined net income. That's 75%. The other parent who earned less paid $500 of the $2,000, which is 25%. These percentages are applied to the basic child support obligation from the Schedule. The higher-earning parent owes 75% of $474, which comes out to $355.50. The parent earning less owes 25%, which is $118.50. This is the basic child support obligation due each week for each parent.

5) Adding Other Pro Rata Expenses

Certain other costs and extraordinary expenses involved with supporting a child are added to the basic child support payment amount. These include medical expenses and costs for child care. The same percentages from Step Four are used to determine each parent's share.

Let's use our divorcing couple again and assume childcare costs are $400 per week. The higher-earner would owe $300 (75% of $400 = $300), while while the other parent’s obligation for childcare is $100 (25% of $400 = $100). Once all expenses are added, the final child support amount is determined unless the court orders a deviation from the guidelines.

6) Possible Deviations From the Child Support Guidelines

The court has the authority to deviate from the guidelines if the order they've created is unjust or inappropriate to one or both parents. The magistrate must supply a written explanation for any deviation.

Deviations differ between cases. They can include alimony payments, extraordinary educational expenses, the amount determined by the guidelines exceeding 55% of a parent's income, or a parent's income being pushed below the self-support reserve.

Child Support Payments, Enforcement, and Other Information

Parents in Connecticut are required to provide child support until the child reaches the age of 19 or graduates from high school. The OCSS handles all child support payments. The default method of collection is income withholding. In most cases, an income withholding order (IWO) is issued with a child support court order.

An IWO directs an employer to deduct the child support amount from the parent's paycheck and send the funds to the OCSS. This method makes it difficult for the parent to miss a child support payment. If self-employed or the owner of a business, the parent may have other payment options. The court can demand a bond that's forfeited if the account falls into arrears (behind on payments).

Child support orders are subject to modification. Parents have the right to have their order reviewed by OCSS once every three years. If the guidelines show a change of 15% or more between the new and old calculations, the order goes to a judge for adjustment. A parent can also request a review if there's been a substantial change in their circumstances, such as losing a job.

Connecticut Child Support Guidelines - Reference

There's a lot to know and remember about child support in Connecticut. The table below recaps what you've learned and offers links for further research.

Disclaimer: Connecticut state laws change through the passage of new legislation, higher court rulings that include federal decisions, ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most up-to-date information possible, please consult a family law attorney to confirm current Alabama laws.

Connecticut Child Support Guidelines: Related Resources

• Child Support Laws

• Child Support Enforcement

• Child Support Modification

• Child Support - Connecticut Department of Health and Human Services

• HUSKY Health Care for Connecticut Children and Adults

Need Help With Connecticut Child Support Guidelines? Speak With an Attorney

Child support is determined by financial resources, the number of dependents, and other special circumstances. If you're feeling overwhelmed or just have questions, contact a Connecticut family law attorney. Their expertise in Connecticut law can help you determine your child support obligations or entitlements, collect on unreimbursed medical expenses, and achieve the best solution possible.