Child Support and Remarriage in Illinois

Navigating child support and remarriage in Illinois? Here's what you need to know! In Illinois, the amount of child support is calculated using an 'income shares' model that considers the combined net income of both parents, number of children, and additional expenses like healthcare and education. Interestingly, if a parent remarries, the new spouse's income does not influence child support obligations, as these payments are solely based on the needs of the child and the financial abilities of the biological parents. Legal support from family law experts is essential to manage these delicate matters effectively, ensuring both compliance with the law and the well-being of the children involved.

Key Takeaways

• Illinois child support calculations use an 'income shares' model, factoring in both parents' net incomes, number of children, and costs like healthcare and education, along with time spent with children and other dependents.
• In Illinois, remarriage of a parent doesn't directly impact child support, which is determined by the child's needs and each parent’s financial capacity, excluding new spouses' incomes or additional family obligations.
• Seeking legal assistance through family law attorneys or mediation is crucial in Illinois for handling the complexities of child support and remarriage, ensuring proper legal process and promoting amicable solutions.
  

How is Child Support Calculated in Illinois?

In Illinois, child support is calculated by determining the total amount of child support for which the parents are collectively responsible based on economic tables that factor in geography, the total income of the parents, and the number of children involved.  

The responsibility for paying this total amount is divided between the parents based on the net income of the parents relative to one another.  The more the parent paying child support (“the obligor”) makes relative to the recipient, the more he or she can expect to pay in child support.  

In shared parenting situations, the total amount of child support for which the couple is responsible increases, but the amount of time spent with the child is factored into the analysis.  The more time the obligor spends with care of the child, the less he or she can expect to pay.  

For more on this, check out our foundational article on Illinois Child Support.

What Happens if the Parent Paying Child Support Gets Remarried?

Remarriage of the obligor does not impact his or her child support obligation.  Many people expect that if the obligor marries someone with a high income, his or her child support obligation will increase, or that if the obligor takes on additional expenses associated with step-children his or her child support obligation will be reduced. This is not the case.  

The income of the obligor’s spouse is not factored into child support obligations, because the new spouse has no legal obligation to financially support the obligor’s child.  Conversely, increased expenses associated with remarriage, such as additional dependents, do not factor into child support calculations, because the obligor's and recipient’s living expenses have no bearing on child support.

What Happens if the Recipient of Child Support Gets Remarried?

The same principles apply when the recipient of child support remarries.  Even if the recipient marries someone with a high income, the obligor’s child support obligation will not be reduced because the recipient’s new spouse does not have a legal obligation to provide for the couple’s child.  Similarly, any new expenses associated with the recipient’s remarriage will not serve to increase child support payments.

There is one exception to this rule.  If the new spouse adopts the child, the obligor’s child support obligation will be terminated.  This is because adoption by one parent’s new spouse can only occur after the other parent’s parental rights have been terminated.  

Does Remarriage Impact Parental Resources for the Purpose of Child Support for College Education?

Child support is required in Illinois until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school.  After the latter of these events, child support is no longer automatically required, but may be awarded at the discretion of the court for post high school education expenses.  A major factor that courts use to determine whether to order continued child support for non-minor education is the resources of each parent.  Just as remarriage does not impact the impact of the parents for child support purposes, a new spouse’s income does not count as a parental resource for the purpose of determining whether to award child support for college and other non-minor educational expenses.

For more, check out: Is a Spouse’s Income a Parental Resource for Non-Minor Educational Expenses?