One Direction‘s Louis Tomlinson just welcomed a baby boy into the world. But it looks like it’s going to cost him – $600K per year in child support.
Louis Tomlinson to Pay $600K in Child Support
Louis Tomlinson. 24, of boy band One Direction welcomed his son into the world at the end of January. While he’s very happy about becoming a father, it seems it’s going to cost him. His baby mama and ex-girlfriend Briana Jungwirth, 23, is asking for a large part of his One Directionmoney – £450,000 per year until 2034, which comes to about $641,954 in US dollars.
After trying to make their relationship work for a while, Tomlinson and Jungwirth decided that they were not meant to be. He is currently dating Danielle Campbell.
Tomlinson to Pay Over $11.5 Million Over 18 Years
Jungwirth has requested the amount be paid until 2034, when the child turns 18. That means that over the course of 18 years, Tomlinson will pay just over $11.5 MILLION in child support. Although the amount might sound astonishing, a source close to the One Direction star’s legal team said “there will be little maneuvering over final figures.” The source added, “negotiations on both sides are cordial and should be wrapped soon.”
Apparently, Tomlinson is already been supplying Jungwirth with a monthly allowance of $1,500.
Child Support
Child support is defined as a monthly payment that parents (either one or both) make to help cover the costs associated with raising a child.
In child custody arrangements, it is usually agreed that one parent will be the custodial parent and non-custodial parent. The custodial parent cares for the child the majority of the time, while the non-custodial parent has less parenting time. Sometimes a court will also award joint custody, where both parents share the amount of child care time.
When it comes to awarding child support, the custodial parent tends to receive child support payments. The law assumes that a custodial parent is already spending money directly on the child. That means that the non-custodial parent usually makes the child support payments.
A court can also order both parents to pay child support.
Child Support Laws Regarding Terms of Payment
Though it seems that Tomlinson and Jungwirth have agreed to a term of 18 years, child support rules regarding terms are sent by individual states, and also are dependent upon the parents. Because of this, there is no universally set age at with child support payments are terminated. Still, the general rule of thumb is that child support is put in place to ensure a child is financially supported by both parents and that the child enjoys a standard of living comparable to his parents. In the end, this rule of thumb is truly what determines how long support must be paid.
Terms of Child Support
While child support terms are dependent on the specific situation, there are some common laws that are used. For example, most states dictate that a parent is only responsible to pay child support until the child’s 18th birthday. Other states extend this age to either 19 or 21. Age is not the only determining factor. Another common milestone used to determine the duration of child support is graduation from high school. This means that the support continues to be paid until the child graduates high school, regardless of the child’s age.
Special circumstances or provisions are put in place if a child is disabled or will require care beyond the set ages of 18, 19, or 21. Typically in these situations a court will decide on terms of child support and a decision will be based on the specifics of the situation.
Other Reasons for Termination of Child Support
Additionally, child support can be terminated in the event of the child’s death, if the child enters the armed forces and is on active duty, or if the child becomes self-supporting or is emancipated.
The Amount of Child Support
While the amount that Tomlinson might end up paying to Jungwirth might seem exorbitant, it’s important to remember how child support is calculated.
To figure out the amount of child support that needs to be paid in accordance to the California guidelines you will need to gather some information.
First, you will need both parents’ net disposable income, which is the difference between gross income and what counts as deductions for child support purposes. Gross income includes, but is not limited to the following: salaries, commissions, unemployment benefits, social security benefits, spousal support payments, and even lottery winnings. You are able to exclude child and spousal support payments (actually paid) and money received from public assistance programs like CalWORKs.
In addition to the parents’ net disposable incomes, you will also need the following information:
- number of children who need support
- the current custody arrangement
- both parents’ tax liabilities
- information on whether a parent supports other children from another relationship
- every child’s health insurance expenses
- both parents’ mandatory retirement contributions as well as other job-related expenses, and
- other relevant costs (which can include health care, day care, and travel).
Typically a court will order one or both parents to provide for the child’s health care, as well as child care. A court is also able to order additional payment for a child’s education or special needs, and also for a parent’s travel expenses when they have to travel to visit the child.
Because Tomlinson has made so much money as part of One Direction, it makes sense that his child support payments would be so high.
Deductions
After you have determined gross income, you deduct state and federal income taxes, mandatory union dues, and health insurance premiums. There are also a number of other deductions you might be able to take. For that, it’s advised that you work with a family law attorney, or consult the California Guideline Child Support Calculator User Guide.
Finalizing
Once you have entered the disposable net income and other deductions into the child support calculator, you will have a good idea of the amount of support due. Remember that this number is just an estimate, and is not final until a court has reviewed it and agreed on it.
A Note on Avoiding Child Support
It should be noted that parent who intends to avoid paying child support through refusing to work, or working less, usually does not get away with it. A court can “impute” income, and come up with an amount of money that a parent should be earning. This amount is based on employment history, education, and training. The state will hold a deadbeat parent accountable to the family, rather than punish the parent who stayed home with young children.
Changing Child Support Orders
Even if a child support order has been agreed to and decided on by a court, it is not always set in stone. A parent is able to ask for a modification of child support orders at any point if there has been a significant change in financial or time-share circumstances.
Instances where this happens include involuntary loss of job, a shift in the time-sharing agreement, or a parent makes less or more income than when the amount was decided upon. Other reasons include when a parent has another child with a different partner, or if a parent gets sent to jail.
When a parent asks the court for a modification to a child support order, the court will first need to consider both parents’ financial situations and the time-share agreement before agreeing to the modification. Sometimes, if a parent’s income decreases, the child support payment they are currently paying will increase. This is because of the change that will happen with time-share. That’s why it’s important to re-calculate time-share when it comes to modifying the payment amount. This can be a very complicated matter, and that’s why it’s important to work with a family law attorney.
Working with a Divorce Attorney
The child support process can be a difficult one, but one that can be aided by the help of a divorce attorney. There are many aspects of a marriage that must be decided, including child custody, marital property, and alimony. Working with a divorce attorney is a way to make the process smoother. If you’re considering divorce, you should also consider a divorce attorney like the ones at Law Offices of Korol and Velen, Certified Family Law Specialists.