How is child support figured if the parents are minors?
Full Question:
Answer:
Yes, teen parents are liable for child support, regardless of custody. Under the federal welfare reform law, states are allowed – but not required – to enforce child support orders against the parents of a minor who is the non-custodial parent of a child if the teenage, custodial parent is receiving TANF benefits. Some states have laws holding grandparents responsible for children born to teen parents. The parents of a minor teenage noncustodial parent may face paternity action requests for child support from them, rather than the father of the newborn. When a minor child gives birth, that minor child is responsible for her baby, and the minor's parents remain responsible for her. However, if the young person under the age of 18 continues to live at home, the grandparents' income will be "deemed available" to the grandchild to determine eligibility for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), and the mother may seek through the court to have the paternal grandparent's income "deemed available" for child support purposes.
