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Child support is money paid from one parent to another parent for the benefit of the parties’ joint child or children. Child support it not treated an income to the parent who receives it and is not tax deductible to the parent who pays it. It is assumed in Minnesota that both parents will contribute the financial needs of their children. It is possible, under certain circumstances, for a parent to provide care for the children rather than provide actual dollars.

Child support in Minnesota is calculated using guidelines created by Minnesota legislators. Child support has three components: Basic Support, Medical and Dental Expenses, and Childcare Expenses. Basic Support is defined as:

“Basic support includes the dollar amount ordered for a child's housing, food, clothing, transportation, and education costs, and other expenses relating to the child's care. Basic support does not include monetary contributions for a child's child care expenses and medical and dental expenses.” Minn. Stat. §518A.26.

Parents typically pay a percentage of childcare expenses based on their respective gross incomes. They also each contribute to the cost of medical and dental insurance as well as any medical and dental expenses which are not covered by insurance (i.e., co-pays, prescriptions, deductibles).

For more information about calculating child support, see our links and library of articles. For specific questions about your case, please contact Callahan Family Law & Mediation, LLC online, or call our Chanhassen office at 952-975-9961, for a free initial consultation.

We offer child support attorney services throughout Minnesota, with an emphasis on the communities southwest of Minneapolis, including Carver County, Hennepin County and Scott County, as well as localities from Chanhassen to Chaska, Victoria and Waconia. We look forward to working with you.