California, like every other state, has its own guidelines and regulations concerning child support issues. When parents divorce, the court has the ultimate say in whether either party will be ordered to pay child support, as well as the amount and time schedule of such payments. In an interesting development in another state, it appears that having a child who may be an overachiever can cause unexpected family law issues for divorcing parents.
The situation in this particular case involves parents who divorced at least seven years ago. Their combined annual salaries amount to approximately $56,000. Previously, the father was ordered to pay $113 a month in child support for the former couple’s 13-year-daughter.
In a surprising turn of events, after interviewing the girl, a judge has issued a modification of those orders. The judge was apparently taken with the young girl’s zealous ambition and goals to become a Broadway stage performer. He told her parents she is an exceptional child and that they will each now have to pay $250 a year for the lessons she needs to bring her dream to fruition.
The judge did say that future decisions in similar regard should be decided on a case-by-case basis. Any parent in California worried about family law issues, such as child support laws, can reach out for support by contacting an experienced attorney in the area. Every family’s needs are different, and a skilled attorney can help a parent protect the best interests of a child and determine how best to proceed in alignment with that parent’s immediate and long-term goals.
Source: New York Post, “Your gifted kid is going to cost you more in child support“, Julia Marsh, Nov. 3, 2016
