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Navigating the Holidays During or After Divorce
At Wagner & Bloch, we understand your divorce is more than just a case.
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December 22, 2025
Cincinnati Child Support Attorneys
A divorce can have a major financial impact on a family, especially when it comes to caring for minor children. Child support is designed to alleviate that impact on children of divorce and protect their standard of living.
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Who Pays Child Support?
Generally, child support is paid from one parent to another in order to assist with the financial aspects of raising a child. These payments may be used for purchasing food, clothing, childcare, health insurance, and other living expenses for the child until they reach the age of 18 and graduate from high school.
As with many aspects of family law, child support is specific to each case. In fact, child support is not always necessary. In some situations, for example, a court may determine that a parent does not need to pay for child support. The joint income of the family or the standard of living the child would have enjoyed had his or her parents stayed together can be considered in determining child support. These factors may actually necessitate a support payment that exceeds what a simple child support calculation produces.
Reaching A Child Support Agreement
Just as you can reach an agreement on other terms of your dissolution or divorce, you can also agree on a child support amount. There are many factors to consider when determining the appropriate amount of child support, such as the parenting time schedule, the expenses of the child, the age of the child, as well as various factors specific to each situation. As with all issues in family law, if you cannot reach an agreement, you can ask the court to decide on child support for you.
In both Ohio and Kentucky, child support is calculated based on guidelines that generate an assumed amount. Factors include:
- Salaries, wages, and bonuses
- Spousal support
- Social security benefits
- Disability insurance benefits
- Unemployment benefits
- Workers’ compensation
- Veteran’s benefits
- Parenting time schedule
- Rental income, royalties, investment income, and trust income
If you are seeking child support, our Cincinnati divorce attorneys will present your financial needs as a parent and advocate for the rights of your child to receive support from your ex-spouse. We can also help if you believe your ex-spouse is attempting to obtain an unreasonable amount of support from you. We base our strategy on protecting the best interest of your children and ensuring their needs are adequately met.
Modifying Or Ending Child Support Payments
In most cases, child support obligations remain in effect until the child turns 18 and graduates from high school. However, child support may end earlier if the child is emancipated, or last longer if the child has a serious mental or physical disability.
Ensuring Children Of Divorce Are Properly Provided For
We represent parents going through a divorce, as well as unwed parents, including mothers and fathers from a range of economic and social backgrounds. Wagner & Bloch considers the whole picture to develop favorable options that make sense for you and your family.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss your specific case options. Send us a message via our contact form or call us today!
How is child support calculated in Ohio?
Child support is based on state guidelines that look at both parents’ income, parenting time, and certain expenses like health insurance and childcare. The court starts with a standard formula, but it can adjust the amount depending on the situation. It may help to have a child support attorney review the numbers before anything is finalized.
Can child support be different from the guideline amount?
Yes. Courts can deviate from the guideline amount if it does not reflect the child’s actual needs or the family’s financial situation. For example, if a child has higher medical or educational expenses, or if one parent earns significantly more, the court may adjust support accordingly.
What happens if the other parent is not paying child support?
If a parent stops paying, enforcement options are available. This can include wage garnishment, interception of tax refunds, suspension of licenses, or contempt of court proceedings. Taking action early can help prevent the issue from getting worse, and legal guidance can help you move the process forward.
Can child support be changed after the order is in place?
Yes, child support can be modified if there has been a substantial change in circumstances. This might include a job loss, a significant increase or decrease in income, changes in parenting time, or new expenses for the child. The court will review updated financial information to determine if an adjustment is appropriate.
Do both parents have to work for child support to be ordered?
No. Even if one parent is unemployed or underemployed, the court may assign an income based on what that parent is capable of earning. This is known as imputed income and is used to ensure that financial responsibility is shared equitably.
How does parenting time affect child support?
Parenting time plays a role in the calculation. In general, the more overnights a parent has, the more that may impact the support amount. However, Courts still focus on making sure the child’s financial needs are covered in both households.
What expenses does child support actually cover?
Child support is meant to contribute to everyday living expenses like housing, food, and clothing,along with costs such as health insurance and childcare. It is not limited to one category. The goal is to help maintain stability for the child.
What if we agree on a child support amount outside of court?
Parents can reach their own agreement, but it still needs to be approved by the court to become enforceable. If the amount is far outside the guideline range, the court may ask for justification. Having legal guidance during this process can help avoid delays or rejected agreements.
Does child support automatically stop at age 18?
Not always. Child support typically continues until the child turns 18 and graduates from high school. If the child is still in high school at 18, support may continue until graduation. In some cases, such as when children have a disability, support can last longer.
How do I get advice from Wagner & Bloch on a child support matter?
Getting guidance is straightforward. You can schedule a consultation by calling Wagner & Bloch or submitting a request through our contact form. During that conversation, you can walk through your situation and get a clear sense of your options and next steps.
Testimonials
We have had the pleasure of helping clients just like you through divorce. See what some of our former clients have to say below!
"Professional, moderate, kind, and able to get the job done without making a difficult situation worse- I would recommend."
Nadya C.
FOrmer client
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