According to Pasadena divorce lawyers, the case of singer Marc Anthony illustrates some of the complexities involved in calculating a suitable child support amount. Anthony is currently involved in a suit filed by ex-wife Dayanara Torres. Anthony and Torres married in 2000 and divorced in 2004, after having two sons together. Since the divorce, Anthony has been paying $3,500 per month in alimony and $6,500 per month in child support for each child -- bringing total support payments to $16,500 per month.
Torres, the 1993 Miss Universe, is asking that the court increase her child support to $113,000 for the two children based on the fact that Anthony pays a higher sum for the twins he has with singer and actress Jennifer Lopez and that his income has increased since the original support order was set. Anthony and Lopez were married in 2004 and divorced in 2012. They have twins together who were born in 2008.
Anthony allegedly pays $18,000 per month in child support for his twins with Lopez. Child support is calculated based on several factors, including the income of both parents as well as the percentage of time each parent is physically responsible for the children. If a parent is paying child support for children from two different relationships, it’s quite possible to have a discrepancy in the level of support the children receive if there are different income levels and/or custody arrangements involved.
When the income of the parent paying child support changes, the parent receiving child support can ask that the court modify the original order to reflect a higher ability to pay. In California, a shift in either parent’s financial position is not considered an automatic reason to adjust support. However, increases in support are often ordered based on the paying parent’s higher income because of the view that children deserve to share in the wealth of both parents.
How Can We Help?
Please call our office at (626) 683-8113 or email us at info@PasadenaLawOffice.com if you are in need of assistance with a child support related issue. Our Pasadena family law firm can discuss your options and help you develop a strategy that best addresses the needs of both you and your children.