Can Having Step Children Reduce Child Support Payments

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Quoting Judge Judy

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The court will take into consideration that the new wife does not have a job.

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The court will take into consideration that the EX's new wife doesn't work in determining the Ex's child support obligation to his children?

That doesn't make much sense to me. The father is responsible for his biological children--IMO the new wife being a stay at home mom (or working outside the home) should have no bearing in the calculation.

Please explain.

Colorado child support is premised upon the parents' salaries, not step-parents.

Quote:

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Quoting Colorado Statutes, Sec. 14-10-115(7)(a)(I)

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The basic child support obligation shall be determined using the schedule of basic child support obligations contained in paragraph (b) of this subsection (7). The basic child support obligation shall be divided between the parents in proportion to their adjusted gross incomes.

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Quote:

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Quoting ameliapalooza

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...my ex is adiment about not paying a dime more in the support of our three kids and insists because he has these three step children the court will not allow it anyway. Let me add that his new wife does not work. his gross income is about 3000 -3500 per month.

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Nope, his stepchildren are not taken into consideration in calculating his support. Nor is the fact that his wife unemployed taken into consideration.

Depending on your income (it would have to be quite a bit higher than his), you are actually entitled to an increase.