New Child Support Rule Requires Informed Consent

The child support guidelines were amended in December 2011, when the Supreme Court Domestic Relations Rules Committee enacted Rule 1910.11(d)(3). The new rule, which is targeted at cases where one or both parties are unrepresented, requires the court to perform a calculation of the child support guidelines even if the parents have an agreement. The Rule was not intended to thwart settlements between parents, but “so that they can enter an agreement knowingly.” By requiring the court to calculate the child support guideline, it is hoped that unrepresented parents will understand better what they are getting or giving up in their settlements.