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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Some divorcees -- particularly those with lower incomes -- would have to pay more in child support under a bill approved by the Utah Senate.
Senate Bill 195 would affect mostly divorces occurring after next Jan. 1, although it contains provisions for amending old agreements.
Low-income parents and single children families would see the biggest hikes in their monthly payments -- up to 25 percent.
Middle-income parents with four or more children would see smaller increases, and in some cases would see a drop in payments.
"We're trying to keep the changes fairly modest and balance the interests of the custodial and noncustodial parents and the child," said the sponsor, Sen. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights.
The legislation would be the first update of Utah's child support guidelines in 12 years. Supporters of the bill say the current standards used by courts in setting payments have not kept pace with inflation or research on what it costs to raise a family.
Bell, an attorney and real-estate developer, said that is especially true for households with one child.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
