by hild support in Arkansas is governed by state law and enforced by the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE). The purpose of child support is to ensure that both parents contribute to the financial needs of their children, regardless of their relationship status. Here is a breakdown of how child support laws work in Arkansas:
How Child Support is Calculated in Arkansas
- Arkansas uses the Income Shares Model, which estimates the amount of support a child would have received if the parents lived together
- Both parents’ gross incomes are combined to determine the total child support obligation
- The amount is then divided proportionally between the parents based on their individual income
- The non-custodial parent usually pays their share directly to the custodial parent
- Gross income includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, unemployment, and other income sources
- A child support chart issued by the Arkansas Supreme Court is used to determine basic support amounts
Factors That Influence Child Support Amounts
- The number of children involved
- The gross monthly income of both parents
- Costs for health insurance premiums and work-related childcare
- Any extraordinary medical expenses, education costs, or special needs
- Whether either parent supports other children not involved in the case
Minimum and Maximum Support
- Arkansas does not have a fixed minimum child support amount, but the court considers each case based on parental ability to pay
- The court can deviate from the chart if it finds it would be unjust or inappropriate, with a written explanation
Modifying a Child Support Order
- Either parent can request a modification of the support amount if there is a material change in circumstances, such as:
- Job loss or increase in income
- Change in custody or parenting time
- Medical emergencies or new expenses for the child
- A change of at least 20% or $100 per month in the support amount is generally required for the court to approve a modification
Duration of Child Support
- Child support continues until the child turns 18, or until high school graduation, whichever occurs later (not beyond age 19)
- Support can end earlier if the child is emancipated, joins the military, or gets married
- In some cases, support may continue for a disabled adult child beyond age 18
Enforcement of Child Support Orders
- Arkansas OCSE uses various enforcement methods to collect unpaid support:
- Wage garnishment
- Tax refund interception
- License suspension (driver’s, hunting, or professional licenses)
- Credit bureau reporting
- Liens on property or bank accounts
- Non-payment of child support can result in civil or criminal contempt charges, including fines and possible jail time
Paternity and Child Support
- Establishing legal paternity is required before child support can be ordered
- Paternity can be established voluntarily through an Acknowledgment of Paternity form or by court order after DNA testing
- Once paternity is confirmed, child support and custody arrangements can be legally determined
Arkansas takes child support obligations seriously to ensure children receive the care and financial support they need. Courts aim to strike a fair balance between the needs of the child and the financial capacity of the parents.
