If a parent loses their job or gets a new one, it can be difficult to explain this to a child. The child may think that they’re responsible for the loss of the parent’s job, and may also feel burdened financially. They may want to feel like they are contributing in some way, which could be achieved by cutting back on allowance or deferring expensive purchases. The child can also get an after-school job to earn money.
While losing a job is never easy, it can often take weeks to get back on your feet. It is also important to remember that your child support obligations will not cease just because you lose your job. Many people believe that child support obligations stop when a parent loses a job. However, this is not the case. You are still required to make payments to the other parent until you find another job.
In some cases, a parent can impute income to the other parent, even if they are involuntarily unemployed. In this case, the court will look at the parent’s recent work history to determine whether they are making an honest effort to find a new job. Similarly, the court will also consider whether the parent’s underemployment is a result of cutting back on their hours or refusing to use their assets in a reasonable manner.
The other parent can also file for divorce if the other parent loses their job. In this case, the court can impute income from the other parent if the other parent’s income decreased. In some cases, the other parent loses their job because of a legitimate reason.
Parental unemployment is a serious issue for children. A recent study found that nearly a quarter of children had a parent who was unemployed. While this rate has gotten lower, it is still close to the high point of the Great Recession. Furthermore, children of jobless parents are more likely to suffer psychological strain. This could lead to depression. Therefore, if a parent loses their job or gets a new job, they should try to spend as much time with their children as possible.
