In a couple short months we'll be waiting anxiously for school to let out and the pool to open. But what does this mean for child support?
Parents frequently practice an alternate parenting schedule during the summer months. In Kansas, parents who switch roles as the residential parent (the parent having 51% or more time with the child) may be entitled to a child support adjustment by up to 50%. This can mean the difference in affording that memorable summer vacation.
You may think it's a little early to be conidering summer plans, but think about this - Kansas law sets a request for child support modification effective the 1st day of the month following a motion for child support modification. If you file a motion with the court to adjust child support, the change would not become effective until the 1st day of the month following the motion filing date. There is also a statutory 10-day notice requirement when you file the motion (if you'll be notifying the other party by mail). So, it's best to start looking ahead to summer now.
eFamilyTools allows users to enter their own "child support adjustment" percentage. If the residential parental role will switch during summer, you simply enter 50% as the parenting time adjustment. The court will average the child support payment during the summer months with that during the school year to arrive at the adjusted child support amount.
Shared residential parents who share in the direct expenses of the child(ren) may need to make adjustments to payments for such expenses. Examples may include the increased cost of an agreed upon new summer activity or agreed expenses for a new automobile. If the parents have agreed on the expenses, they can be incorporated into the direct expense sharing agreement. Even if the parents don't share direct expenses, but instead utilize the Equal Parenting Time formula, occasionally, additional agreed expenses may be used to modify the child support order if the parents agree.
If you have any questions about how to enter your expenses using eFamilyTools, please feel free to contact us.