A Child Support Lawyer Can Help Parents Understand Their Responsibilities
A child Support lawyer can help parents understand their responsibilities, petition the court for changes in support, and address issues related to emancipation. A Phoenix AZ family law firm can also assist with enforcement of existing judgments ordering payment of back child support. They can assist in garnishing wages, suspending driver’s licenses, and withholding federal income tax refunds.
State laws vary in their exact calculation of child support, but generally courts will consider each parent’s income and the number of children. The amount of the basic child support obligation is based on these factors, as well as other expenses such as day care, health insurance and other childcare costs. Parents may also be asked to share the cost of extracurricular activities such as sports, band, various clubs, and JROTC.
The judge who reviews a child support case will take testimony from both parties and their witnesses. They will also examine each party’s financial records and tax returns. When the testimony is complete, the judge will determine the basic child support obligation and set a schedule for regular payments. The non-custodial parent may be required to pay the custodial parent either directly or through a state agency called the Support Collections Unit (“SCU”). The SCU will then distribute the money to the petitioner.
Parents can agree to a different support amount, but this must be approved by the court. The judge will review the parties’ financial records and other information to decide if a change to the agreement is appropriate. If the change is found to be appropriate, the judge will change the amount of the monthly payments and set a new schedule for payments.
Once a court order is entered, it becomes enforceable by the Florida Department of Revenue. They will work with the party obligated to pay and with other states that have jurisdiction to enforce the judgment. If a party fails to pay child support, the court may issue a warrant for their arrest. The court can also authorize the sheriff to seize that person’s property or income and sell it to pay the unpaid child support. The property can include a vehicle, bank accounts, real estate, and even personal assets such as jewelry and artwork.
Most judges will require a child support obligation to continue until the child is 18 years old or emancipated. Emancipation can occur when the child gets married, moves out on their own, joins the military, or graduates from high school. The court can also impose an obligation to support a child beyond the age of 18 if there is evidence that the child will not be able to become self-supporting by the time they reach the age of 18. A child Support attorney can help with these types of cases. If you are looking for a skilled Child Support Attorney, visit https://www.phoenixfamilylawyers.net/child-support/ for guidance and Free Consultation!