If you are living with a member of the opposite sex, this may have bearing on spousal support issues. Legal custody is the right and responsibility to make decisions in the child's life regarding the child's health, education, and welfare. Legal custody will usually be joint unless one parent is absent or incapable of participating in the child's life. Physical custody governs where the child resides. Joint physical custody shall be shared by the parents in such a way to assure a child of frequent and continuing contact with both parents.
Child support is determined by a Statewide guideline.
The guideline is an algebraic formula that considers the earnings of each parent, the percentage of time each parent spends with the children and other factors. Most lawyers and judges use a computer program to figure out what the guideline support is. Most courthouses have a program available for use. However, if you and your spouse agree to provide for your child s college education and that agreement is put into a judgment signed by the judge, that order is enforceable and you will be required to pay as provided in the order. Spousal support is support payable to a spouse or former spouse that used to be called alimony.