# 5 Child Custody and Support Questions and Answers | Brown Family Law **Table of Contents***[*SHOW*]* 1. 1. How many other children are in this situation? 2. 2. Do mothers or fathers end up with custody most often? 3. 3. Is poverty an issue? 4. 4. So, how common is child support? 5. 5. How often are full payments made? You and your spouse have decided to break off your marriage. You’re both a bit sad about it, but you agree that it’s not working out. You want to work together to find the best possible [child custody solution](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/child-custody-agreement-without-court/). You both also agree that the children have to be the priority. You’ve never done this before. You may have a lot of questions about [child custody](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/salt-lake-city-ut/child-custody-lawyer/) and child support in general or the specifics of your situation. Below are five questions and answers to get you started: ## 1. How many other children are in this situation? You’re worried that the new living situation may be strange for your kids. While it will be an adjustment, many children live with only one parent. In the United States as a whole, roughly 28.1 percent have parents who live in different residences, while they live with one parent. Get Clear Guidance for Your Divorce [Schedule a Consultation](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/contact-us/) ## 2. Do mothers or fathers end up with custody most often? This is one of your most pressing questions. If you wind up in court, where are the children most likely to land? While it’s important to remember that courts tend to favor joint custody and a parenting plan that keeps both parents involved, it’s also true that about 18.3 percent of custodial parents are fathers, meaning that a full 81.7 percent are mothers. A Calmer, Clearer Way Through Divorce [Talk to Our Team](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/contact-us/) ## 3. Is poverty an issue? Concerns about money are common after a divorce. You have to support yourself on one income, when you may have gotten used to having two incomes — or perhaps you didn’t work at all. Statistics do show that 16.2 percent of fathers with custody are living under the poverty level. Things are even more dire for custodial mothers, who come in at 31.8 percent. This is why it’s so important to know what rights you may have to child support payments. ![Brown Law Logo](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/wp-content/themes/brown-family-law/assets/app/img/logo-white.png) Support Through Your Toughest Transition [Call ![call-arrow](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/wp-content/themes/brown-family-law/assets/app/svg/cta-call.svg)801-685-9999](tel:+18016859999) ## 4. So, how common is child support? The statistics show that parents pay child support in about half of all cases. When looking at parents with custody, slightly under 50 percent have an agreement or a court order saying how much should be paid and when. If you and your spouse are on good terms, you may be able to work together to find a solution that court can then approve. If not, the court can pass down an order after looking at the facts. ## 5. How often are full payments made? Unfortunately, much child support is not paid, even when it’s owed. In 2010, for example, the parents who had custody only got 62.3 percent of what they should have received. It’s good that you and your spouse are in this together, as this last stat shows how hard it can be for parents who don’t cooperate after a split. Working together is beneficial, no matter how you feel. Put the children first, remember your rights, and make sure you know your legal options if things don’t go as smoothly as you hope. Child Custody Blog Posts: [![What to Know About Child Custody Orders](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/wp-content/uploads/what-to-know-about-child-custody-orders-300x200.jpg)](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/what-to-know-about-child-custody-orders/) ### [What to Know About Child Custody Orders](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/what-to-know-about-child-custody-orders/) Getting divorced can be a stressful and life altering path for the adults involved, but what if there are children to [![There Are Many Reasons for a Child Custody Battle](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/wp-content/uploads/there-are-many-reasons-for-a-child-custody-battle-300x200.jpg)](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/there-are-many-reasons-for-a-child-custody-battle/) ### [There Are Many Reasons for a Child Custody Battle](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/there-are-many-reasons-for-a-child-custody-battle/) When it comes to matters of child custody, there are many reasons why parents are unable to get along. Sometimes, each [![Arguments That Promote Co-Parenting](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/wp-content/uploads/arguments-that-promote-co-parenting-300x200.jpg)](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/arguments-that-promote-co-parenting/) ### [Arguments That Promote Co-Parenting](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/arguments-that-promote-co-parenting/) Co-parenting after a divorce simply refers to the way that both parents can be active in raising a child, even if they [![Child Custody and Doing What’s Best for Your Children](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/wp-content/uploads/child-custody-and-doing-whats-best-for-your-children-300x200.jpg)](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/child-custody-and-doing-whats-best-for-your-children/) ### [Child Custody and Doing What’s Best for Your Children](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/child-custody-and-doing-whats-best-for-your-children/) Divorce is difficult on all parties involved, especially children. They don't often understand what is going on. And in --- Source: https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/5-child-custody-and-support-questions-and-answers/