Divorce Guide

Child Support Mediation

Child Support Mediation is a peaceful way to sort out child support issues among the divorcing couples. When couples with children divorce each other they both are still responsible for financially supporting their children. Child Support is a method by which the non residential parent has to financially contribute to the childcare costs post divorce.

When a divorce takes place and the couple starts staying in different homes, the child stays with the custodial parent this means that the child spends most of the days in a year with the custodial parent (also known as the residential parent). The non custodial parent is given Contact Orders and Visitation rights that help him to see the child on a regular basis.

The purpose of child support or maintenance is to ensure that while the residential parent cares for the child’s daily and other needs, the non custodial parent should also help him or her in bearing the child’s financial responsibilities.

There are three ways to decide Child Support issues among you and your partner. The simplest is to analyze your situation and then decide how much Child Support should be paid, till when, and the medium of payment. However, if you are not getting along on this issue and matter is getting complicated then it is better to approach the Family Court. When you approach the Family Court, the judge will first advise you to settle the dispute through mediation. Thus the three ways to solve child support dispute is either through mutual understanding, a court case, or mediation. Out of the three ways, mediation is a peaceful, affordable, and simple way to decide issues related to child support.

In Child Support Mediation the Family Court designates a mediator to solve your child support issues. The couples can also hire a mediator from a private law firm specializing in family law.

Mediation is a process in which the mediator, who is trained in family law matters, helps the parents in negotiating a mutually acceptable child support agreement. The mediator is a neutral person who does not belong to any of the parties. Thus he does a fair job and gives useful advice to both the parties.

The mediator helps the couple with various things like calculating the childcare cost, determining the child support amount, tax issues involved in child support, child support and alimony, till when to pay the child support, and so on.

It is always better to use child support mediation over a court case. Here are a few advantages of using mediation as the method of solving child support issues:

1. Peaceful Process: As it is that divorce is an emotionally taxing affair. If the child support issue is taken to the court it gives rise to more tensions. Mediation is done peacefully and thus children are also saved from the bitterness involved in a court case.
2. Fast and Affordable: The process of mediation is faster than a court case. Most of the paperwork is done by the mediator. It is also more economical as compared to a court case as the court fee is really high.
3. Professional Help: A mediator is a professional who has complete knowledge of child support laws and related issues. Thus opting for mediation you are getting professional assistance.

Child Support Mediation is a better way to deal with child support issues as compared to a court case only if you decide to follow the mediator and want a peaceful agreement.

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