Child Support & Remarriage in Indiana: Understanding Income Calculations

Question
Hi, I am from Muncie, IN and I want to get remarried.  Last evening my fiance told me that she thinks that my ex will try to raise my child support, based upon my fiance's income.  She says that they will base my income on both of us instead of just me.  I want to find out if this is true. I don't want to live my life afraid of what my ex might do, but I don't want to overburden my new wife with money hardships just because she is married to me.  I think that it might cause some problems in my marriage over money and I don't want that.  Thanks for any info you can give me on this subject.

Answer
Hi Daniel~

No,they can't raise your child support at all.  In fact the courts can't touch any money made by your soon to be wife.  The courts can only go by your income soley for CS.  The only way your ex-wife would be able to raise your CS is if you have an increase in your wages.  Then she would have to take you back to court and petition the court to raise it.  And then it's not even guaranteed that they'll raise the CS for her.  

The only other way they can attach a garnishment (take money that involves wife).  Is if you are WAY behind in CS and the state can take your income tax refund at the beginning of the year.  However,your wife would be able to protest and get back her "half" of the income tax refund,and the state would have to give it back to her.  As they can't take any money that she earns,since she's not connected to the child in any way.  Only you and the ex-wife are.  I hope that has answered some questions for you.

If you have any further questions please feel free to ask.