D. Support Flashcards

1
Q

How do Courts award Spousal Maintenance (temporary/post-divorce maintenance)?*

A

If Payor is paying child support to Payee => Spousal maintenance will be LOWER of either;

  • 20% of Payor’s income (up to $184,000) MINUS 25% of Payee’s income
  • 40% of BOTH Parties’ combined income (up to Payor’s income at $184,000) MINUS 25% of Payee’s income

If Payor is NOT paying child support to Payee => Spousal maintenance will be LOWER of either;
- 30% of Payor’s income (up to $184,000) MINUS 20% of Payee’s income
- 40% of BOTH Parties’ combined income
(up to Payor’s income at $184,000) MINUS Payee’s income

FYI Court may adjust guideline amount (if found unjust/inappropriate)

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2
Q

When may Post-divorce Maintenance terminate?*

A

Death of Spouse

Payee spouse becomes re-married

Invalid marriage

Modification of marriage

Cohabitation
- Meets standard under s. 248

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3
Q

How may courts determine duration of Post-divorce Maintenance?*

A

Schedule (DRL 236(B)(6)(f))

  • Advisory ONLY (NOT exact!!!)
  • 0-15 years’ marriage (15-30% length of marriage)
  • 15-20 years’ marriage (30-40% length of marriage)
  • +20 years’ marriage (35-50% length of marriage)

Statutory factors
- NOT based on length of marriage

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4
Q

Until what age are parents liable for Child Support?*

A

21 years of age!!!

UNLESS emancipated earlier by;

  • Marriage!!!
  • Full-time employment!!!
  • Military service enlisting (full time)
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5
Q

How is the amount of Child Support determined?*

A

CSSA (Child Support Standards Act)

1) Apply designated statutory %
- 17% (1 child)
- 25% (2 children)
- 29% (3 children)
- 31% (4 children)
- 35% (5 or more children)

2) Towards Parents’ combined income (up to $148,000)
- Divided between Parties pro rata (based on Parties’ individual income)
- Income cap can be extended

3) Potential ‘add-ons’
- Child care
- Health insurance premiums
- Unreimbursed health expenses
- Educational expenses

NOT marital fault

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6
Q

How may Parents ‘opt out’ from CSSA provisions?*

A

1) Knowingly made decision where Parents;
- Knew of CSSA provisions
- Knew presumptively correct amount
- Explain reasons for deviation

2) Specific recitals in written agreement

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7
Q

Is Court bound by agreement that fails to provide adequate support for Parties’ children?*

A

NO

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8
Q

What is required for modification of child support obligation before/after 30th October 2010?*

A

Modification BEFORE 30th October 2010

1) Derived from Agreement incorporated (NOT merged) into judgment of divorce
2) Party must establish either;
- Agreement was unfair/inequitable when entered into
- Unanticipated + unreasonable change in circumstances has occurred resulting in Child’s concomitant need
- Child’s needs are NOT being adequately met

Modification AFTER 30th October 2010

1) Derived from Agreement incorporated (NOT merged) into judgment of divorce
2) Substantial change of circumstances

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9
Q

When may court also modify Child Support Order?*

A

3 years passed since Order was entered/last modified/adjusted

Party’s gross income changed by 15% or more since Order was entered/last modified/adjusted

Party’s gross income reduced ‘involuntarily’ + Party made diligent attempts to secure employment related to his education/ability/experience

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10
Q

What is required for Party to modify previous Maintenance Order/Judgment obtained from Court?*

A

Recipient’s inability to be self-supporting

Substantial change in circumstance
- Financial hardship

Payor’s actual full/partial retirement
- If retirement results in substantial change in financial circumstances

Termination of child support

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11
Q

What is required for Party to modify Maintenance award derived from agreement?*

A

Extreme hardship

- On EITHER party

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12
Q

When may Court terminate maintenance arrears?

A

Interference with visitation rights

Recipient is habitually living with another person + holding himself out as other person’s spouse (but NOT married)

NOT arrears accrued before modification application
- UNLESS defaulting party shows good cause for failure to apply from relief from Order

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