Minnesota Child Support Attorneys & Lawyers

The Nature of Child Support

By law, both parents are obligated to contribute financially to the care and well-being of their children. In most cases, the payment of child support continues until a child reaches 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later.

Child support in Minnesota includes three components:

  • Monthly support payments;
  • Medical insurance and a division of uninsured costs; and
  • Child care expenses.

Calculation of Child Support

Minnesota has a specific set of guidelines for calculating child support. Effective January 1, 2007 the guidelines were changed to reflect the income of both parents and the amount of time each parent spends with the children. The income of each parent is compared and a percentage of the money required to raise a child each month is divided proportionally.

Modification of Child Support

Modification of child support may occur at the request of either parent, so long as there has been a substantial change in circumstance that makes the terms of the prior arrangements unfair or unreasonable. Often the court will examine whether a reduction in the obligor's income was voluntary or involuntary.

Failure to Pay Child Support

Child support that is not paid in a timely manner becomes an arrearage, which cannot be forgiven without an appearance before the court. In Minnesota, the consequences for non-payment of child support following a court order include:

  • Denying or revoking a driver’s license;
  • Taking tax refunds (federal and state);
  • Denying or suspending occupational licenses (for example, a license to practice law);
  • Denying or revoking recreational licenses;
  • Denying or revoking a passport;
  • Placing a lien on a car;
  • Referral to a private collection agency;
  • Telling a consumer reporting agency that they did not pay child support;
  • Placing liens on property;
  • Putting a hold on bank accounts;
  • Charging interest on any past due support; or
  • Placing the payer in prison, through a court action, for not paying child support.

Child Support & Parenting Time

The court treats child support and parenting time as two separate issues. A parent's not paying child support should not affect parenting time with your child. When a court determines parenting time, it should only be concerned with the best interests of the child. The failure to pay support is not a legally valid reason to deny or restrict parenting time.