I am a non-custodial parent and am paying child support per our custody order. If I get a pay increase, am I required to report it to the child support office? Also, how do you know when it's "in the best interest of the child" to go for full custody?

Thanks in advance :)

If you want more physical custody or full physical custody then all you can do it petition the judge to allow it. It isn't really a matter of "knowing" it is in the best interest of the child it's more what you feel is in the best interest and if you feel with you would be better you have to convince the judge to agree with you. I would take care of that matter first because the pay increase really depends on the state that you are in and the amount by which it increased.

This may help: "The best interest of the child shall always be the primary consideration in determining custody, without regard to the sex of the parent or child." see: Texas Divorce Laws - Texas State Divorce Laws (http://divorcesupport.about.com/od/statedivorcelaws/a/Texas_Laws_2.htm)

[F]I am a non-custodial parent and am paying child support per our custody order. If I get a pay increase, am I required to report it to the child support office? Also, how do you know when it's "in the best interest of the child" to go for full custody?

Thanks in advance :)


In NYS, yes, you are required - by most Orders - to report an income increase over a certain percentage. I think it's maybe 8%. I see that provision written into divorces lately. I am also seeing requirements for an annual accounting.

When to move for a change also depends on the circumstances under which custody was ordered in the first place - if it was challenged custody, there may be a time frame. If not, if it was by agreement, there isn't.

The Attorney who handled the divorce should have valuable input on your particular circumstances and the feelings of the Court.

Mostly it depends on the state you live in and what your papers say about child support. Really you need to look at those for the answer to how often you must report income.