Introduction:

Child support is a critical element in ensuring the well-being and financial stability of children following the separation or divorce of their parents. In Illinois, child support calculations have undergone significant changes over the years. In this article, we will explore the current guidelines for calculating child support in Illinois for 2022.

Income Shares Model:

Since July 2017, Illinois has adopted the Income Shares model for child support calculations. This approach considers both parents’ incomes and aims to allocate support proportionally based on the combined total income.

Factors in Determining Income:

For both parents, the following factors are considered when calculating income:

1. Gross income from all sources, including wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, and overtime pay.

2. Other income such as investment earnings, rental income, Social Security benefits, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, and retirement contributions.

3. Deductions such as taxes (federal, state, local), FICA contributions (Social Security and Medicare), mandatory retirement contributions, union dues, and health insurance premiums for the children.

Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO):

The Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO) is determined using an economic table created by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS). Based on the combined adjusted net income of both parents and the number of children involved, this table sets a monthly support amount that best meets the financial needs of the children.

Dividing the BCSO:

Once the BCSO is established, it is divided between the parents proportionally based on their
individual net incomes. For example:

1. Calculate each parent’s percentage share of their combined adjusted net income.

2. Multiply each parent’s percentage share by the BCSO to determine their portion of child support responsibility.

Parenting Time Adjustment:

In Illinois, parenting time can also impact child support calculations. Shared parenting arrangements are considered when each parent has the child for at least 146 overnights per year. In such cases, the BCSO is multiplied by 1.5 to account for increased expenses due to shared parenting. The adjusted BCSO is then allocated between the parents based on their income percentages and time spent with the child.

Conclusion:

The process for calculating child support in Illinois aims to ensure that both parents contribute fairly to their children’s financial well-being in accordance with their means. It is essential for separating parents to understand these guidelines and seek legal assistance when necessary to navigate these standards and advocate for the best interests of their children.