| Post Decree Modification of Child Support |
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| Generally, child support is a noncustodial parent's obligation to support a child until he reaches age 18, graduates from high school, or is otherwise emancipated. A child can be emancipated through a statutory process, by entering the military service, or by getting married. More... |
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| Status as a Legal Parent |
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| Legal parenthood confers more than power, control, and authority over one's child. It has long been held that there are corresponding duties to parental rights. These parental responsibilities include the obligation to care for and protect the child, provide financial support, see to his or her education, and supply proper medical care.
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| The Marital Home |
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| The marital residence is often the most valuable asset of the marriage. Sometimes, it is the only asset of the marriage. Thus, its classification for property distribution purposes is very important. More... |
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| Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act |
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| The Child Support Recovery Act (CSRA) of 1992, makes the willful failure to pay a past due support obligation with respect to a child residing in another state a federal misdemeanor offense. The Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act (DDPA) of 1998, amended the CSRA. The DDPA entails felony punishment for a parent who moves to another state, or country, with the intention of evading child support payments if the debt has remained unpaid for over a year or is greater than $5,000. Parents who owe $10,000 or more, or who fail to pay for two years, may face up to two years in prison. Parents may also face fines and could be responsible for making restitution for unpaid child support. More... |
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| Bifurcated Divorces |
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| A court may order the termination of the marriage of a husband and wife, while reserving the resolution of certain issues for a later time. This procedure is called a "bifurcated divorce." When a bifurcated divorce is ordered, issues such as the division of the spouses' property, child custody, and child support are decided at a separate trial or hearing, after the marriage is terminated.
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