When parents divorce, they often agree to certain terms for financial support of their children. These arrangements may include a specific dollar amount to be paid by the parent who does not have primary custody, and other provisions for expenses such as child care, health insurance and travel costs related to parenting time. Whether you are the custodial or non-custodial parent, it is important to work with a Phoenix Child Support lawyer who understands your rights and can help you negotiate an acceptable agreement or represent you in court.
The state of Arizona uses a set of guidelines to determine the amount of child support to be paid. These guidelines are based on the combined monthly incomes of both parties and the number of children shared. The amount also takes into account the number of overnight stays each parent has with the child(ren). A Phoenix Child Support Lawyer can help you navigate this complex process and make sure you are receiving or paying the correct amount.
Parents can sometimes reach their own informal pacts about child support, but these agreements are not binding and can be violated. Only the courts can change a child support order, and even then there needs to be a substantial change in circumstances for a modification to be considered. For example, a parent who has experienced a significant increase in income may need to have their original agreement modified to reflect that change.
If you have a child support issue that requires legal action, contact an attorney immediately. Singer Pistiner can assist with securing or modifying child support orders, and we can also help enforce court-ordered payments. Parents who fail to pay their required obligations are subject to contempt of court proceedings, which could lead to fines and incarceration.
A child support lawyer can provide you with assistance regarding a paternity case, an uncontested divorce or a contested divorce. In the event of a contested divorce, the judge must consider several factors in addition to the Arizona Family Law Guidelines, including past-due child support, the potential for future child support arrears and a parent’s current income.
While the term “child support” is used in many cases when parents are separating or divorcing, there are some situations in which parents are never married and do not have a legal separation or divorce. In these cases, the court must decide a child support issue and can order the same payments as in a divorce.
If you have questions about child support, a family lawyer at Dodge & Vega PLC at Law in Phoenix can help. Call our office to schedule a consultation. We offer a free initial consultation. This is a great opportunity for you to ask questions about your case, and the information you provide will be kept confidential. We look forward to hearing from you.