Unmarried couples who share children can make their own agreements for important issues such as child support, child custody and visitation. Whether you are married or not, when children are involved, it is critically important to make sure that plans are in place that put your kids’ well-being first. Communication during a separation is very often strained, so investing in mediation sessions may be a productive way to handle many issues related to your split – including how to handle child support agreements. Johnson Mediation focuses on helping families through these difficult transitions by facilitating positive and productive communication that result in workable solutions for all involved.
Using Mediation to Develop A Child Support Agreement
Avoiding a costly and lengthy court battle is one reason to opt for mediation to develop a child support agreement. In many cases, you and your soon to be ex-partner can come to a decision about whether the non-custodial parent should pay anything toward the costs of raising the child). If you are both legal parents, then child support is determined much like it would be if you were married. In all 50 states, both parents are required to support their children, whether the parents are legally married or not. Factors that contribute to determining child support include:
● Income of both parents
● Cost of housing, health care and for both parents and children
● Costs of child related expenses including daycare, etc.
Each state has its own formula for calculating appropriate child support. Your mediator can help guide you through this process. And, one of the benefits of using mediation to create a child support agreement is that the process allows you to take into account any unique aspects of your situation.
Mediation Services For Non-Married Parents
The team at Johnson Mediation has extensive experience working with non-married parents who are working to solve issues related to their separation including the development of a child support agreement. We understand that this is a difficult and potentially painful time in your life. We focus on helping couples communicate clearly, establish trust and find ways to compromise so that you can move forward with your life in a healthy way – and in a way that puts your children first. For more information about our mediation services for non-married parents, call us today at 952-401-7599 or email jeffjohnson@johnson-mediation.com. We offer evening and weekend appointment times to make finding a time to meet easy for you.
