The topic of child support is very common when two parents decide to part ways. Separating from a partner can result in significant lifestyle and financial changes. To help prevent children from becoming victims during such a separation, a judge may order one parent to pay child support to the other. The intention of child support is to ensure that children can live the happiest and healthiest life possible after parental separation. An attorney can help you prepare for these very intense deliberations regarding child support with your former partner. They understand that these conversation may be incredibly emotional for you. If direct communication is not possible, then you may have to attend family court for a judge to decide the terms of child support.
How Child Support is Calculated
Parents do have the chance to arrive at their own agreements for child support. In many cases, parents attend mediation to try and resolve any differences. If the parents are unwilling to try mediation or the sessions are not successful, then the court may calculate an amount for them based on a variety of life circumstances. Specific factors that can determine child support include:
- Each parent’s level of disposable income or capacity to earn
- Each parent’s standard of living
- Which parent is paying the children’s health care insurance or other health-related costs
- Which parent is paying for children’s educational and extracurricular opportunities
- How much time each parent spends with his or her children
- The level of visitation rights the non-custodial parent was awarded
- Costs for daycare so the custodial parent can go to work or fulfill other obligations
When a Parent Fails to Pay
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If your former partner is not paying child support as ordered, we suggest contacting an attorney right away. There may be very serious repercussions for a parent failing to financially support their children. Sometimes, a parent has recently lost a job or endured some other financial set-back that has caused late payments. But, when a parent is just being negligent or outright does not want to pay as revenge, then you may want to take legal action.
How an Attorney Can Help
An child support lawyer Rockville, MD trusts can offer help in multiple ways. An attorney can provide legal insight, assist in preparations for hearings, give advice on how to respond to a parent who refuses to pay, and more. It can help to have a legal professional on your side to be strategic yet supportive. They can do everything within their means to see that your children are getting what they need to truly thrive.
Thank you to our friends and contributors at Daniel J. Wright for their insight into family law and child support and factors behind the amount.
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