Child support is a tricky issue, and it’s natural to have many questions about it. The Law Office of Steven J. Priddle in Fairbanks specializes in family law and understands the child support requirements in Alaska. If you’re going through a divorce or separation, they will help you establish or recover child support and answer frequently asked questions about the process.

FAQs About Child Support in Alaska

How Do I Arrange Child Support?

If you don’t have a court order from a divorce or custody ruling, you can obtain child support by applying through the state’s Child Support Services Division. This Alaskan social service agency is a part of the Department of Revenue and its job is to establish, enforce, and mediate the collection and distribution of child support payments.

How Is the Payment Determined?

Primary physical custody is a key consideration when factoring the cost of child support. If one parent has primary custody, which means caring for the child at least 70% of the time, the other is the noncustodial parent. The noncustodial parent must pay 20% of their income in child support, with the exception of retirement, taxes, and other required deductions.

What If Custody Is Shared or Divided?

When parents have more than one child or custody is arranged in a different way, the calculations become complicated. Consult a family law attorney who is experienced in child support to get an estimate of your monthly payments.  

Do I Have to Pay Via the Child Support Services Division?

No. If parents reach an agreement, the court might accept it without involving the CSSD. However, it’s best to have a lawyer mediate the parents’ child support discussions to achieve a resolution that’s fair to both parties and adheres to state and federal laws.

Determining how to handle child support can be a daunting task when you try to figure it out on your own. Seek guidance from an attorney at the Law Office of Steven J. Priddle in Anchorage, AK, to speed the process and reach an agreement that works for everyone. Visit the firm’s website for more information about their family law services, including uncontested divorce, and call (907) 339-9572 to arrange a consultation.