The most significant recent update to Ohio's child support framework came into effect on March 28, 2019. These revisions aimed to modernize the calculation methods, better account for shared parenting arrangements, and adjust minimum payment standards. While the underlying legal structure for child support remains, these 2019 changes represented a comprehensive overhaul of how child support obligations are determined in the state.
Key Changes Introduced in 2019
The 2019 amendments to Ohio's child support laws brought about several important modifications designed to create fairer and more accurate support orders. These updates specifically addressed:
- Adjusted Child Support Calculations: The revised law introduced updated economic tables for calculating support, intending to better reflect the actual costs of raising children in today's economy. Ohio primarily utilizes an income shares model, where the combined income of both parents is used to determine how much money would typically be spent on the child if the parents were still together. This amount is then proportionally divided between the parents based on their respective incomes.
- Increased Minimum Monthly Payment: One direct and impactful change was the adjustment to the minimum child support obligation, ensuring a baseline level of support.
- Consideration for Shared Parenting Time: The 2019 updates provided clearer guidelines and potential adjustments for parents who share significant parenting time, recognizing the financial contributions of both parents.
Specific Impact of the 2019 Revisions
Here's a breakdown of the direct changes that came into effect:
Minimum Monthly Child Support Payment
The law significantly increased the baseline for minimum child support payments. This change ensures that each child receives a basic level of financial support, even in cases where the obligor parent has very low income.
| Previous Minimum (per child) | New Minimum (per child) |
|---|---|
| $50 | $80 |
This means that regardless of the detailed income calculations, the child support order will be for at least $80 per month per child.
Impact of Parenting Time on Support Obligations
A crucial aspect of the 2019 law addresses shared parenting arrangements. If a parent has substantial parenting time—specifically exceeding 90 overnights per year—their child support obligation could be subject to a reduction. This adjustment aims to acknowledge the financial contributions and direct costs incurred by the parent who has the child for a significant portion of the year, promoting a more equitable distribution of financial responsibility in shared custody arrangements.
- Understanding "Overnights": An "overnight" refers to any night during which a child spends time with a parent.
- Potential Reduction: While a significant number of overnights makes a parent eligible for a review, the exact reduction is not automatic. It is determined by the court based on the specific details of the shared parenting plan and the financial impact of the increased overnights on the parent's expenses.
Broader Factors in Child Support Calculation
Beyond these specific changes, Ohio courts continue to consider a comprehensive set of factors when determining child support under the income shares model. These include:
- Gross Income of Both Parents: This is the primary determinant, encompassing various income sources such as wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, and more.
- Healthcare Costs: Expenses for health insurance premiums, co-pays, and uninsured medical expenses for the children.
- Childcare Costs: Reasonable and necessary childcare expenses incurred due to employment or job search.
- Other Child Support Obligations: Existing legal obligations for other children from previous relationships.
- Spousal Support (Alimony): Payments made or received can impact a parent's available income for support calculations.
- Number of Children: The total number of children for whom support is being calculated.
- Tax Benefits: Consideration of which parent claims the children for tax purposes.
Why Were These Changes Implemented?
The 2019 revisions were enacted to:
- Reflect current economic realities and the rising cost of raising children.
- Align Ohio's child support guidelines more closely with national standards and best practices.
- Promote greater fairness and accuracy in child support orders, especially for parents with substantial shared custody.
- Encourage compliance and reduce the need for future modifications by creating more realistic and sustainable orders.
Seeking More Information
For precise details regarding your specific situation or to understand how these laws apply to your case, it is always advisable to consult the official Ohio Revised Code or seek advice from a qualified family law attorney.
- For the full text of Ohio's child support statutes, visit the Ohio Revised Code - Chapter 3119.
- For information on child support services in Ohio, refer to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services - Office of Child Support.
