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Child Support Lawyer in Columbus, OH

In the state of Ohio, the courts follow a two-step procedure when addressing child support. First, the obligation of child support payments for the parent is determined using a formula, while the second step considers numerous factors to determine the amount of child support.

In most cases, the non-residential parent, or the parent with the greatest income will pay child support to the other parent. The amount of support can be reduced in shared parenting plans depending on the time the child spends at each parent’s home.

Experienced Child Support Attorneys in Columbus, Ohio

If you are in need of legal guidance regarding child support matters, retaining a knowledgeable legal team from Joslyn Law Firm can make all the difference in your case.

We assist clients in central Ohio counties, including Union, Delaware, Licking, Franklin, Fairfield, Pickaway, and Madison.

Our expert family law attorneys in Columbus OH are experienced in handling child support cases and will strive to protect your rights as a parent and achieve the best possible outcome for your current legal situation. Call us today at (614) 420-2424 or provide your information in our online form and one of our attorneys will review your case for free.

Overview of Child Support in Ohio

How is Child Support Calculated in Ohio?

Under Ohio law, a biological or adoptive parent must provide support for his or her child. Caring for your child is usually cut and dry outside of the court. However, when there has been a divorce or dissolution of marriage, the court may order the parents to support the children. This includes the medical needs of the child.

One of the major factors in determining child support comes from the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities. In any legal separation, the court, after considering the circumstances of the case, will decide parental rights. A parental rights determination examines who will be in charge of the children or if there will be shared parenting (see child custody).

After determining the child’s best interest, the court will then decide the amount of child support that will be paid to the pursuant. The court will calculate the financial obligation in accordance to the state’s basic child support schedule and the applicable child support worksheet.

Since the court considers many factors when deciding child support payments, it can become difficult to calculate. To make it easier, child support is calculated in accordance with Ohio Revised Code 3119.022 by using a child support worksheet and formula. The worksheet determines child support payments based on the following:

Annual gross income and expenses of both parents
The number of supported children
Tax obligations
Necessary expenses for the child such as healthcare

To get a rough idea of how child support may be calculated in your specific case, visit The Ohio Child Support Calculator. Ultimately, because so many factors are at play when deciding child support in Ohio, it is imperative to find an extremely experienced child support attorney to represent you.

What is the Minimum Amount of Child Support in Ohio?

According to Ohio Revised Code 3119.06, the minimum monthly child support payment per child is $80 per month. However, there are a number of factors that go into what you could pay per month for child support. The courts or agency may also issue a minimum child support payment of less than $80 under certain circumstances including mental or physical disability of the nonresidential parents, or other circumstances considered appropriate by the court or agency.

Child Support Modification

Because life is always changing, sometimes there are circumstances that require a modification to a child support order. Some of these circumstances include an increase or decrease in income, change of health and childcare costs, and loss of employment. Child support modification can happen when there is child custody modification, but can also happen in other circumstances.

Child Support Enforcement in Ohio

Ohio takes the obligation of child support seriously. If a parent fails to make payments for an extended period of time they could face numerous penalties that include criminal charges, being held in contempt, fined, sent to jail, or have their license suspended.

In Ohio, the Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) enforces child support payment in communities and they have the power to petition the court to require a parent to pay their support in the following ways:

Filing of contempt of court actions that could result in jail time
Withholding income from parent’s wages
Deny passport
Liens on personal or real property
Bench warrant for arrest
Garnish federal or state tax refund
Report to the credit bureau
Garnish workers’ compensation
Suspend licenses such as drivers, occupational, sporting, and recreational

If a parent does not make support payments for 26 weeks over a span of two years, they can be charged with a felony of criminal non-support, up to five years in prison and extensive fines. The first contempt filing can be punishable by 30 days in jail, but jail time can usually be avoided with a substantial support payment.

How Long do You Pay Child Support in Ohio?

Obligated child support is usually payable until the child reaches 18, until they graduate from high school, or whichever is later. However, according to Ohio state law in regards to the termination of child support, there are circumstances where obligated support continues past a child’s 18^th birthday. These circumstances include:

- This child is mentally or physically disabled and is incapable of supporting themselves
- Both parents have agreed to continue support past the child’s 18^th birthday
- The child is still attending high school full time

Ohio Child Support Resources

Castle V. Castle – View the full text of the Ohio Supreme Court ruling that voted to extend obligated child support payments past emancipation if the child is disabled. As a result of the case, the Ohio Legislature enacted O.R.C 3119.86.

Ohio Child Support Worksheet– The Ohio Revised Code offers a copy of the child support worksheet that is used in the courts when determining the amount of obligated child support payments. The sample worksheet can be found on codes.ohio.gov, a site that features the Ohio Revised Code and the Administrative Code.

Child Support Guideline Manual – Provided by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to provide instructions needed to complete the child support worksheet.

The Ohio Child Support Calculator – This calculator is provided by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to provide an estimate of the support obligations that may be included in a court or administrative child support order.”

Child Support | Franklin County Board of Commissioners– The Franklin County Board of Commissioners provides a pamphlet that offers further information on issues dealing with child support. Some of the issues include change of address, how to make payments, and processing fees.

Find a Child Support Lawyer in Columbus, OH

If you are seeking legal assistance with any issues involving child support, contact Joslyn Law Firm as soon as possible so you can assure all the necessary steps are taken. Our attorneys are experienced with child support cases and will fight to achieve the best possible outcome for your situation. We also can help if you’re looking for a child custody attorney near you.

Joslyn Law Firm represent clients in counties in the Columbus area that include Union, Delaware, Licking, Fairfield, Pickaway, Madison, and Franklin. Contact us today and one of our financial matters attorneys will review your case for free.

This page was last updated by Brian Joslyn