While it is certainly possible to have a court decide what the child support payments should be, a better method may be for both parents to agree on the child support through an informal process.
There are primarily two informal ways that a child support agreement can be reached; the parents can either agree to child support through informal settlement negotiations or through the use of ADR processes such as mediation and collaborative family law.
Regardless of which method is used, it's important to note that even if you resolve your child support issue outside of court, most states still require court approval of the agreement to ensure that it complies with state child support guidelines.
Child Support by Agreement: Informal Negotiations
If parents are willing to work together informally to resolve all issues related to child support (including payment amount, frequency of payments, and duration) they can negotiate an agreement with or without the assistance of attorneys. In some cases, the parties in a child support dispute may prefer to have their positions negotiated by an attorney, or the parties may negotiate themselves, and can consult their attorneys prior to finalizing any agreement.
The specific settlement negotiation process will vary in most cases, but the ideal end result of successful settlement talks in a child support case is a written agreement. This written agreement may be referred to as a "settlement agreement," and in some child support cases (such as those that are part of a divorce) the agreement on child support may be a part of a larger "divorce agreement" or "dissolution agreement" (more on finalizing this agreement below).
Child Support by Agreement: Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
For parents who need help resolving a child support matter outside of court, another option is alternative dispute resolution (ADR) -- which includes processes such as mediation and collaborative law. ADR may prove to be a beneficial tool in reaching a child support agreement, depending on factors such as the degree to which the parents are in dispute on key issues related to child support and their willingness to work together to resolve those issues.
ADR processes tend to be less adversarial and more casual than the traditional court setting, and may facilitate early settlement. With mediation and collaborative family law, parents in a child support dispute (along with their attorneys) have an opportunity to play an active role in resolving key decisions related to child support, instead of having a third party (judge or jury) make those decisions.
Although rarely used in family law cases, arbitration is another, more structured ADR option. In an arbitration, a neutral third-party makes decisions after hearing each side's evidence and arguments. The arbitrator's decision in a child support is not necessarily final, and the parties may still be able to resolve key issues before a court at a later date.
Finalizing the Child Support Agreement
Whether the parties resolve a child support dispute out-of-court through informal negotiation or ADR, the ideal result is a written document which finalizes what was agreed upon. This agreement is usually shown to a judge for final approval, to ensure that what the parents have agreed to also complies with state guidelines on child support.
An informal court hearing may follow, during which the judge will ask some basic factual questions to make sure that each party understands the terms of the agreement. As long as the judge is satisfied that the child support agreement was fairly negotiated, and that the terms do not contradict state guidelines, the agreement will almost always receive court approval. In most states, the agreement then becomes a binding court order or "decree," and the parents or other parties to the agreement must adhere to it or face legal consequences.
For example, if a child support settlement agreement has been converted into a court order, and the agreement is violated by a father who repeatedly fails to make support payments on time, the mother can go to court to enforce her rights to child support payments under the order, and the father will face additional fines or even jail time if he fails to meet his child support obligations under the order.
Not Sure If a Child Support Agreement Is Possible? Get Help from a Trusted Attorney
Splitting up a marriage, determining who gets custody of the child(ren), and calculating child support can be time-consuming and emotionally exhausting. If you and your spouse are able to agree on the terms of child support without dispute, consider yourselves lucky. But you also may want to have a lawyer review your child support agreement, just for peace of mind. Find a qualified family law attorney near you today to get started.
