Parker Mediation recognizes that parents have a mutual duty to support their children. The manner in which the children are supported by the parties post divorce is determined by the special circumstances of each family. Whenever financially possible, parents are encouraged to provide the child(ren) with a level of support that will permit the child(ren) to enjoy the lifestyle of the family prior to divorce.Child support is controlled by M. G. L. C. 208 – 28 which reads in part. “In determining the amount of the child support obligation or in approving the agreement of the parties, the court shall apply the Massachusetts child support guidelines (PDF document) promulgated by the chief justice for administration and management, and there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the amount of the order which would result from the application of the guidelines is the appropriate amount of child support to be ordered”.
In Massachusetts, the calculation of child support is made by a mathematical formula commonly known as the Child Support Guidelines. However the application of the child support guidelines to cases of joint custody, split custody, or similar shared custody arrangements can be more complicated. During mediation, the parties may calculate the child support guidelines as a reference point. Often parties choose to follow the guidelines. In some cases the parties deviate from the guidelines to meet specific needs of the parenting arrangements and support of the child(ren).
Child support is appropriate until the child reaches emancipation. In divorce mediation the parties decide when emancipation occurs: (a) the child reaches the age of eighteen and is not enrolled full-time in either high school or an undergraduate college program; or (b) is serving in the military; or (c) has reached a certain age, usually by the age of twenty-three (23); or (d) the child marries, or (e) the child becomes employed full-time. Typically exceptions are made for full-time employment during summer vacations and semester breaks from college.
The Massachusetts divorce mediators at Parker Mediation provide professional mediation services to individuals and families throughout Massachusetts with offices serving Worcester County, Central Massachusetts, Boston metro-west, and Cape Cod and the Islands.
The family and divorce mediators in our Worcester, MA office serve the Central Massachusetts and Boston metro-west communities such as Clinton, Framingham, Fitchburg, Leominster, Marlborough, Millbury, Shrewsbury, Sutton, Westborough and Worcester, Massachusetts.
Parker Mediation in Cape Cod serves the local communities of Barnstable, Chatham, Falmouth, Hyannis, Mashpee, Provincetown and the entire Cape and the Islands.
