Child Support

questions & answers

Question: Does a mom receiving child support get penalized for being a stay at home mom? As well if I'm paying support to other children out of state can that be included on the child support work sheet?

Answer: Arizona courts will determine child support according to the Child Support Guidelines and A.R.S. § 25-320. Generally, there are no penalties under the Guidelines; rather, the court will determine how much a parent is responsible to pay according to his or her gross income. If a parent is not working, the court will assess the circumstances and determine whether or not it is reasonable for a parent to not be working. If a parent is paying court ordered child support for a child or children of another relationship, the court will take this into consideration and deduct the amount when it determines the parent's gross income. However, the payments must be up-to-date and cannot be past due. If there is no court ordered child support for a child or children of another relationship, but support is being paid regardless, the court can take this into consideration as well. There is a “support of other children” entry on the child support worksheet where a parent can enter the amount he or she is paying to other children.