There are many decisions that must be made when two people opt to file for divorce. Marriages that have produced children can pose unique challenges during the divorce process.

Child support is one of the decisions that can have a long-lasting impact on both spouse's income levels.  The court often gets involved in setting child support amounts, so there are some important things you need to know in order to navigate the legalities of child support in the future.

1. Many factors are considered when setting child support amounts.

The amount of money that you will be required to pay might be out of your hands, but the court makes every attempt to determine a fair amount when deciding child support cases. Several factors are taken into consideration to ensure that child support will not create undue hardship for either parent.

The number of children you will be supporting, both yours and your spouse's income levels, and the amount of time you spend with your kids will be weighed by the court when attempting to reach a fair child support amount. Your attorney can help you present information pertinent to these factors that will help the judge presiding over your case make an equitable decision.

2. Child support amounts are not final.

Some parents assume that the decision of the court is set in stone when it comes to child support. The fact of the matter is that both parents have the option to petition the court for a change in child support amounts.

It's impossible to predict the future. Incomes can fluctuate, jobs can be lost, and custody arrangements can change. Each of these changes can affect the amount of child support one parent should be paying to the other. An experienced divorce attorney can help you evaluate your financial situation as life unfolds to ensure your child support arrangement remains fair.

3. Missing child support payments can be costly.

Once the court has set a child support amount for you and your ex-spouse, it's important that you adhere to the decision made by the judge. Failure to make timely child support payments could be very costly.

You could have your passport cancelled, your wages garnished, and your hunting licenses suspended. Some states even allow for individuals who don't pay their child support to be sentenced to jail time. Work closely with your attorney to make changes to your child support order if you can't afford your current payments to avoid serious consequences.

Contact a company like Crome Law Firm for more help.