PAPA Session 5
PAPA Session 5
PAPA Session 5
Introduction
When parents separate and one of them has custody of the child, the noncustodial parent has to pay child
support. Child support is defined as regular payments of money, in an amount set by a court, paid by the
noncustodial parent (NCP) to the custodial parent (CP) of a child. A noncustodial parent can be a mother or a
father.
Children need and deserve the financial support of both of their parents. If parents aren’t living together, the
noncustodial parent is legally responsible for paying child support.
The actual amount of child support to be paid is based on the noncustodial parent’s net income - total income
minus federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), union dues and expenses for health care
coverage for the child. According to Texas Child Support guidelines, the amount of child support owed is as
follows:
2 children 25%
3 children 30%
4 children 35%
*These amounts are for multiple children with the same two biological parents.
1. Calculate the child support for a noncustodial parent earning $7.25 per hour with two children.
(Federal income tax - $42.00, S.S. – 6.2%, Medicare - 1.45%) __________
2. Calculate the child support for a noncustodial parent earning $10 per hour with one child.
(Federal income tax - $108.00, S.S. - 6.2%, Medicare - 1.45%) __________
3. Calculate the child support for a noncustodial parent earning $10 per hour with two children.
(Federal income tax - $108.00, S.S. - 6.2%, Medicare - 1.45%) __________
How to calculate:
Multiply the hourly wage by 40; then multiply by 52; then divide by 12 to get gross monthly income.
Round that amount to the nearest whole dollar. Multiply gross income by .062 (6.2% Social Security) and by
.0145 (1.45% for Medicare). Add these two numbers to the federal income tax and subtract the sum from the
gross income in order to get the net income.
Consult the guidelines to figure child support amounts based on the number of children in each story.
Add the amount you owe monthly for child support as a must-have expense. Then, revise your budget
accordingly. You’ll probably have to give up some want-to expenses.