If you are a divorced or separated father in Alaska, you may have questions about your financial responsibilities—especially if you share custody of your child. A common concern is whether child support is still required in cases of joint custody. The short answer is it depends. Child support obligations are determined by several factors, including both parents’ incomes and the division of parenting time. Below, our Anchorage child support attorney for fathers explains how joint custody impacts child support payments in Alaska.
Alaska’s Child Support Guidelines: What Fathers Need to Know
Alaska follows strict child support guidelines under Civil Rule 90.3, which courts use as a baseline to determine financial obligations. While deviations from these guidelines are possible, they require good cause and court approval. Here’s what fathers should understand about child support and joint custody under Alaska law:
- Income Matters (Income Shares Model): Alaska uses the income shares model to calculate child support. This means that both parents’ incomes are considered to ensure that the child maintains a standard of living similar to what they would have experienced if the parents were still together. In joint custody cases, the higher-earning parent may still be required to pay child support to balance the financial responsibility.
- Parenting Time is a Key Factor: Child support calculations take into account the exact amount of time each parent spends with the child. In a 50/50 custody arrangement, child support may be reduced or even eliminated—especially if both parents have similar incomes. However, if one parent has significantly less parenting time or earns substantially more than the other, they may still be required to pay child support.
Will You Owe Child Support in a Joint Custody Arrangement?
Child support obligations depend on the specific details of your custody arrangement and financial situation:
- If you share parenting time equally (50/50 custody) and have similar incomes, child support may not be necessary.
- If you have joint custody but your income is significantly higher, you may still be required to pay child support to ensure financial fairness.
- If you have minority parenting time (less than 50%), you will likely have child support obligations, even in a shared custody arrangement.
Bottom Line: In Alaska, joint custody does not automatically eliminate child support obligations. The final determination depends on each parent’s income and how parenting time is divided.
Contact Our Alaska Child Custody and Child Support Attorney for Men Today
At Family Law Center for Men, we are committed to protecting fathers’ rights in child custody and support cases. If you have questions about your financial responsibilities or need legal guidance, we are here to help. Contact us today for a confidential consultation. Our Anchorage-based attorneys proudly serve fathers throughout Alaska, including in Sitka, Palmer, Juneau, Wasilla, and Ketchikan.