Child support exists for one reason: to make sure your children are provided for. In Montana, the amount isn't arbitrary; it's calculated under statewide guidelines that weigh both parents' incomes and circumstances. But guidelines are only as accurate as the numbers that go into them, and that's exactly where having an experienced advocate matters. Between us, we've handled hundreds of settlements involving support.
How Montana Calculates Support
Montana uses statewide child support guidelines that produce a presumptive support amount based on a formula. The main inputs include:
- Each parent's income from most sources
- The number of children being supported
- The parenting-time schedule
- The cost of health insurance for the children
- Work-related childcare costs
A court generally follows the guideline figure but can deviate when applying it would be clearly unjust or inappropriate for a particular family.
Getting the Inputs Right
Most support disputes aren't really about the formula; they're about the numbers plugged into it. Self-employment income, bonuses, overtime, and a parent who is voluntarily underemployed can all be contested, and in some cases a court can imputeincome to a parent who isn't earning what they could. We make sure income and expenses are documented accurately so the result is fair.
Modifying an Existing Order
Life changes, and support orders can change with it. When there's a significant change in circumstances (a job loss, a raise, a new parenting schedule, or a shift in the children's needs), we can petition the court to modify the order up or down, supported by the right financial evidence.
Enforcing Support You're Owed
A child support order is enforceable. If a parent isn't paying, Montana provides real tools (income withholding, tax-refund interception, license actions, and contempt proceedings) to collect what your children are owed. We can help you use them.