In this article, our Tinley Park paternity lawyers explain child support in paternity cases. Child support is handled in the same manner as marital cases with two distinct exceptions. If there is a possibility that pregnancy expenses are awarded along with retroactive child support and pregnancy expenses can only be awarded within two years after the child is born.
Retroactive child support is sometimes awarded, however this can often be remote. This is due to the assumption that the father had been supporting the child throughout the marriage.
The court retains discretion for awarding retroactive child support based on the following factors:At what time the father learned that the child had been born; If the father had previously been willing to support the child; If and when the mother previously sought the father's assistance in supporting and raising the child;If the mother had a valid reason for not filing a paternity suit earlier; and The mother's delay in bringing the suit prejudiced the father.