When most people get a divorce, they no longer live together. This can be problematic for couples who have children, because the question of where the children will reside must be settled. These days, it is not unusual for both the mother and the father to have equal or similar parenting time. If the parenting time is not equal, the parent who has the child the majority of the time will typically be responsible for providing child support. In Illinois, a child will receive support payments until they turn 18 or 19, as long as they are still attending high school.

Basic Child Support Calculations

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has set forth specific rules for child support, including how to calculate the amount of the payments. First, each parent’s monthly net income is calculated. Then, both parents’ monthly net incomes are added together. Next, the number that corresponds with the parents’ combined monthly income is taken from the basic child support obligation table. The amount from the table is the amount that should be used by the parents each month to meet the child’s basic needs.

Who Pays What?

Now that you know how much should be paid each month for your child, you must determine how much each parent is responsible for providing. This is determined by looking at the percentages of each parents’ monthly contribution to the combined net income. If a parent’s income makes up 62 percent of the household’s net monthly income, then that parent is responsible for paying 62 percent of the basic child support obligation amount.