In Nebraska, child support is calculated by using a mathematical formula established by state law. While determining child support is an inevitable issue to be resolved in divorce involving minor children, many parents may not understand the specific nuances of child support. For example:

• How can child support be spent?
• Am I responsible to pay for anything else beyond my monthly payments?
• When does child support begin and end?

Misconception 1: If my ex-spouse and I share joint custody, no child support is owed by either parent.

The amount of
parenting time awarded directly impacts the amount of child support owed in
Nebraska, but this is not the only factor used to determine whether child
support is owed. In addition to parenting time, the income of both parents is considered as well. If two
parents share an equal amount of parenting time, but one parent earns
significantly more income than the other, then the higher-earning parent may
still owe child support.

Misconception 2: My share of daycare and out-of-pocket medical expenses are covered by my monthly child support payment.

Daycare and out-of-pocket medical
expenses are shared between parents apart from
monthly child support payments. These expenses are shared proportionally based
upon the relative percentages of both parents’ incomes. For example, if Parent
A earns $6,000 per month, and Parent B earns $4,000 per month, then Parent A
would be responsible for 60% of these costs while parent B would be responsible
for 40% of these cost—above any monthly child
support obligation.

Misconception 3: A parent paying child support can demand an accounting of how that child support is being spent.

Nebraska law
does not allow parents paying child support to demand an accounting of how such
child support is being spent by the other parent.

Misconception 4: Child support begins as soon as a parent files for divorce.

Child support
does not begin as soon as a parent files for divorce. Instead, child support
begins as soon as a Court orders child support to begin, which occurs at the
time of a temporary hearing or in the final divorce documents.
Temporary hearings can take place within a month or two of filing for divorce.

Misconception 5: Child support ends when my child turns 18.

In Nebraska,
the age of majority (adulthood) is 19 under state law, and thus child support
does not terminate until a child turns 19.