Question:

My lawyer, who I’m not sure I trust, says that there are only three factors that decide child support: my income, her income and overnights. He says it's a formula and there's nothing else the judge can do. Is he correct or do I need to prepare for something different?

 
Answer:

I must inform you that I am not licensed to practice in Indiana. However, Cordell & Cordell has many attorneys licensed and located in Indiana who would be happy to help you. Because each state has different laws governing child support, it is important that you contact a domestic litigation attorney licensed in Indiana prior to taking any action.
 
Indiana has Child Support Rules and Guidelines that are used to determine child support.  These guidelines can be found amongst the Indiana Rules of Court, http://www.in.gov/judiciary/rules/child_support/ . Judges use these guidelines to equate child support and I believe that your judge will use these guidelines as well.  In short your income, your spouse’s income, and amount of parenting time will have a direct bearing on the amount of child support that will be calculated.

Steven “Lee” Akins, Jr. is a Staff Attorney in the Memphis, Tennessee office of Cordell & Cordell, P.C. Mr. Akins practices exclusively in the area of domestic relations. He received his BBA in Finance from Southern Methodist University and continued his education to receive his Juris Doctor from Texas Wesleyan University.