Why It’s Important to Work With a Child Support Lawyer
When you and your ex are separated or divorcing, it’s important to work with an experienced child Support lawyer who can help ensure that your children’s needs are met in the best way possible. Child Support payments are designed to cover essential expenses like health care, housing, food, and clothing. Each state has its own set of guidelines for determining how much child support should be paid. A lawyer can help you understand your state’s guidelines and guide you through the process of establishing an appropriate amount of child support.
The amount of child support that a parent is required to pay is based on several factors including each parent’s monthly income, any other children the parents may have together, and the amount of time each parent spends with the children. The court may also order the payment of extra expenses such as daycare or medical and dental insurance for the children. In some cases, the court will deviate from the state’s Child Support Guidelines and set an amount above or below the guidelines if circumstances warrant it. This usually happens when a parent has an extraordinarily high income or there are special expenses related to the children’s physical or emotional well-being.
A lawyer can help you determine the appropriate amount of child support you should receive or pay, as well as provide guidance when it comes to making changes to existing orders. You must go through a formal process to modify an existing child support order, and you must be able to demonstrate that there has been a substantial change in your or your ex’s financial situation. This could include a change in job, a new relationship, or any other event that would impact the amount of money you need to make or receive for your child.
When does child support end?
If both parents agree, they can establish a termination date for child support in the form of a legal agreement. The court will then review the agreement and approve it if it meets the necessary requirements. In most situations, a judge will not approve an agreement that is not in the child’s best interests. Generally, child support should continue until the child graduates from high school or turns 19, whichever occurs first.
Enforcing child support orders
If a parent does not comply with a court order to pay child support, it is important to bring the matter to the attention of a Phoenix child Support attorney as soon as possible. This is because the non-compliant party can be punished for violating the terms of a court order. The law defines this as “contempt of court.” The penalties can range from a fine to imprisonment in certain instances.
A Phoenix family law attorney can assist you in establishing an appropriate amount of child support, as well as modifying an existing child support order. They can help you enforce a past judgment ordering the payment of back child support, and they can also help you defend against a contempt action brought by your former spouse.