Full question:
My son and his girlfriend are both 17 years old. She is pregnant. They are not planning to marry but want joint physical custody of the child. Does my son have to pay child support for the time the baby is not living with him? Is child support based on his minimum wage job or is my income and his father's income factored into child support as well?
- Category: Minors
- Subcategory: Child Support
- Date:
- State: Illinois
Answer:
Yes, teen parents are responsible for child support, regardless of custody arrangements. Under federal welfare reform, states can enforce child support orders against minor parents if the custodial parent is receiving TANF benefits. Some states may also hold grandparents liable for child support for children born to teen parents. If a minor gives birth, she is responsible for her child, while her parents remain responsible for her. If the young parent lives at home, the grandparents' income may be considered for TANF eligibility, and the mother can seek to have the paternal grandparents' income included for child support purposes.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.