Child Support

The laws that define child support can be found in Title 43, Sections 110,112,118,119,121 and 136 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Child support is paid by the non-custodial parent, who is deemed the “obligor,” to the custodial parent who is referred to in this context as the “obligee.” The laws state that the Income Shares Model shall be used in conjunction with the Oklahoma Child Support Guideline Schedule to determine the amount of child support that must be paid.

The best way to explain how the Income Shares Model works would be to present a simple hypothetical example. Let’s say that Jill and Brian are divorced and they have one son named Jason. Jill is the primary physical custodian for Jason, so Brian is obligated to pay child support. For the purposes of this example we will say that the Oklahoma Child Support Guideline Schedule calls for a total of $400 a month to support Jason financially.

Jill earns $2,200 per month, and Brian makes $3,000 every month. So the combined income of both parents is $5,200 a month. Under the Income Shares Model each parent is considered to be equally responsible to provide for the child financially, but they pay proportionally depending on their respective incomes with regard to the combined whole. Brian’s $3,000 monthly earnings comprise 58% of the total of $5,200 when you round it off. So Brian’s child support payment equals 58% of the $400 that is required to meet Jason’s financial needs according to the Oklahoma Child Support Guideline Schedule. So in this hypothetical case Brian would be required to make child support payments of $232 each month.

It should be noted that the amount of child support that was originally set is not etched in stone forever. Child support payment amounts can be modified if and when the income levels of the parents change significantly.

For legal advice about child support, contact an Oklahoma City OK family lawyer to arrange for a free consultation.