Questions:

• How do custody arrangements affect child support obligations?
• How do courts calculate child support?
• Will the court consider high living expenses such as loan payments and income taxes when determining one's ability to pay child support?
• Can the court base its child support order on what I am able to earn, as opposed to what I'm actually earning?
• I think our existing child support order is unfair. How can I change it?
• What is a cost of living adjustment (COLA) clause?

Answer:

What is a cost of living adjustment (COLA) clause?

A COLA clause in a child support order means that payments are to increase annually at a rate equal to the annual cost of living increase, as determined by an economic indicator (such as the Consumer Price Index). Some judges include COLAs in their orders when setting child support. This eliminates the need for any modification requests based solely on cost of living increases.

For clear legal expertise and invaluable insights into child support, see Nolo's Essential Guide to Divorce, by Emily Doskow (Nolo).