When a Minnesotan Court calculates a child support obligation, it is typically more than a basic child support amount that is determined. While child support is often calculated according to the Guidelines, and by use of Minnesota Statute § 518A, the Court can deviate from the Guidelines if good enough reasons are given to the Court to do so. If the Court bases a child support obligation on the Guidelines, they do so using a special calculator.
As can be seen from the calculator, there are a few different types of support of a minor child. First is the basic child support amount, which is calculated by looking at both parents’ incomes, as well as the amount of parenting time each parent spends with the minor child.
Above and beyond basic support, the Court can also set child care support if a minor child is receiving child care as a result of the custodial parent’s work schedule and/or education schedule. Child care support does not include if the parent is incurring child care costs for other activities (e.g. entertainment of that parent or having a babysitter watch the child for non-school or non-work activities).
The Court will also establish health and dental support obligations for the minor child. Often the Court will look for the best available insurance policy, considering provider network, costs of insurance, etc. The Court will then typically order one (1) of the two (2) parents to cover the health and dental insurance for the child and require the other parent to contribute toward the costs of the same. Both parents are also both responsible for uninsured and/or unreimbursed medical and dental costs of the child, typically based on each paying a percentage towards them that is tied into each of their incomes.
As such, in calculating child support, Courts will calculate the following:
- Basic child support;
- Child care support;
- Medical and dental insurance (premium contribution and uninsured/unreimbursed insurance costs of the minor child).
If your separation involves a child support obligation, or you think it should, an experienced family law attorney can make sure that the end result works for you. Please, contact us today to schedule your free consultation. You can call us at 952-800-2025 or reach out via our online contact form. I look forward to hearing from you.
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