The calculation of child support depends on numerous factors. Perhaps the most important is how much money the parents earn. Both parents’ incomes are taken into consideration. Also, the amount a parent is able to earn is considered – that is, if a doctor in his 40s is lying on the beach all day instead of working, she or he may still owe child support even with no income. A related factor is how much other income each parent receives. For example, parents may earn interest or other investment income.   

The next set of factors concerns the family structure – that is, how many children are involved. Obviously, more kids means more money (a truism every parent can attest to). There is the factor of how much time each parent spends with their children – in this case, more time spent with kids usually means less money owed to the other parent for child support.

The tax filing status of each parent is important, for reasons beyond the scope of this article. Other factors include: support of children from other relationships, health insurance expenses, union dues, retirement contributions, daycare, uninsured health-care costs, traveling to visit kids, and school expenses.

Therefore, you would have to prove that the court errored in one or more of the above factors mention in setting the support for the child.