When an individual reaches the age of majority in Minnesota, which is 18, he or she is considered to be emancipated. Once children are emancipated, they are no longer under the care of their parents, who are not obligated to support them anymore. However, there are...
Child Support
Disability and child support payments
The amount of child support that the parent with custody of a couple's children receives is based on the income of the parent making payments. As a result, things that lead to a decrease in a paying parent's income can also lead to a reduction in their child support...
Stopping child support payments
Many Minnesota parents depend on child support payments from a former spouse or partner. In some cases, however, a custodial parent may opt to stop these payments. There are several reasons a parent may choose to turn down financial support, but they are usually due...
Minnesota parents who owe child support
The Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act is a federal law that punishes parents who move to another state with the purpose of willfully failing to make child support payments. As a federal law, the act applies to residents of all states, and a DPPA action can be brought in...
Poorer outcomes for Minnesota children without child support
Based on data from a 2017 report to Congress, parents paid more than $32 billion in child support through the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement in fiscal 2015. In spite of this very large number, a significant number of parents are not receiving the payments...
When a parent fails to pay child support
When divorced Minnesota parents are unable to pay the child support that they owe to the custodial parent, the obligation does not go away. In fact, a noncustodial parent can still owe the back child support even after the child becomes 18 or becomes emancipated....
Obama’s child support rule for incarcerated parents in effect
Minnesota residents who are facing child support debt after being incarcerated may be interested to learn that one of Barack Obama's regulations that were instated in his final month took effect on Jan. 19. This regulation, which called on states to create realistic...
Ex-husband of actress Jodie Sweetin files for child support
Minnesota residents who follow celebrity news may be interested in learning that on Jan. 6, Jodie Sweetin's third husband asked for more child support. He claimed that Sweetin's income has increased since their divorce was finalized. Sweetin and her third husband were...
Changes to child support rules for prisoners
Minnesota residents who are paying or may someday pay child support might be interested in a change to child support laws that the Obama administration is putting in place. These changes will affect noncustodial parents who have been incarcerated. President Obama has...
When noncustodial parents refuse to pay child support
Most Minnesota parents understand that if they have primary or sole physical custody of their children, they are entitled to child support from the noncustodial parent. The child support payments help to pay for the costs of raising the children. In order to receive...