Blog Topic
Child Support
WHEN WE MARRY, DO I HAVE TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT TO MY NEW SPOUSE'S CHILD FROM A FORMER MARRIAGE?
QUESTION: My fiancé and I are getting married in a couple of months. He is divorced, and has a 5-year-old boy with his ex-wife. Ever since my fiance's ex-wife learned about me, she has tried to limit my fiance's time with their son. She also threatens him constantly, saying if he marries me, she will take him back to court for more child support which I will have to pay, since I make more money than she does. Can my income be used to pay child support for my fiance's son? Don't get me wrong - I love this boy! I just need to know what my potential liability is.
Thank you for any information you can give me. It is greatly appreciated.
Thanks again, Ms. Doe
Dear Ms. Doe,
Your income will never be available for child support. That said, it does go into the DissoMaster (the software program that determines child support) once you are married, and generally the effect is to REDUCE child support. This is why: when 2 parties file married and joint, that automatically bumps you into a higher tax bracket because the 2 of you make more than just your husband. If you're in a higher tax bracket, he is paying more taxes out of his check (which are the only funds available to pay child support), and therefore takes home less out of his check. Since he has less, he pays less support.
Good for you for loving this little boy. I can tell he is very lucky to have you on his side.
Best, Pat Hendrickson
