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New child support law takes effect in Nevada

Posted at 6:33 AM, Feb 01, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-03 14:07:05-05

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — New child support payment guidelines have taken effect in Las Vegas, effectively allowing people in low to middle-income ranges to pay less in their monthly child support contributions.

Stacey Rocheleau, Right Lawyers divorce attorney, said the new law drafted by the Committee to Review Child Support Guidelines could help non-custodial parents financially, but the custodial parent could see a hit in their bank account.

"The goal of this new law is to help parents who make less money pay less child support," she said. "So, the receiving end, they're going to receive less child support."

The new child support guidelines scrap the old system of flat percentage based child support payments based on how many kids you have and replaces it with a tiered system based on monthly income.

TIERED SYSTEM:
$0 -> $6,000 = 16%
$6,000 -> $10,000 = 8%
$10,000+ = 4%

The tiered system for one child would require a non-custodial parent to pay 16% of their income for the first $6,000 earned, an additional 8% on every dollar made between $6,000 and $10,000, and 4% on every dollar made above $10,000 and remove the limit on the amount a wealthy person would be required to contribute.

"I think the middle class would be affected the most because they're the ones that are really going to see the reduction in child support they receive," Rocheleau said. "The lower income may not receive as much of a benefit, and the higher incomes are going to be paying more."

Right Lawyers created a calculator for anyone confused about the new amount they owe at rightlawyers.com.