If you're going through a divorce, child support and child custody may seem like separate issues that need to be resolved independently of one another, but they are actually two sides of the same coin. Donna C. Crooks Attorney At Law, a Daleville, AL, divorce attorney with over 20 years of experience, explains how these two issues are related and what it means for you.

While you may think of child custody in terms of your right to spend time with or make decisions for your children, the courts consider it an obligation. Your children have a right to expect support from both of their parents, in whatever form that may take, which is why the parent who does not receive full custody is usually required to pay child support. Even if you and your ex-spouse have a shared custody arrangement, the one who spends less time taking care of the children will likely be ordered to pay some amount of child support.

Many states are adopting guidelines and formulas dictating the amount of child support the non-custodial parent has to pay, which can be modified by the court to meet a family's unique circumstances. One popular misconception is that if the custodial parent makes significantly more than the other, then he or she won't receive child support. However, the law requires each parent to contribute some amount, so non-custodial parents will usually receive a child support order even if they have a significantly lower income.

Donna C. Crooks Attorney At Law has extensive experience helping couples work out all of the issues that emerge from a divorce, from child custody arrangements to the distribution of assets. Visit the website to learn how she can help ensure your rights are respected, or call (334) 598-9534. Same-day appointments and phone consultations are available.