Hephzibah Child Support Attorney
One of the most crucial responsibilities for parents is to provide for their child’s needs, encompassing essentials like food, water, education, and medical care. These must be met promptly and without compromises. However, the challenge arises when parents are going through a divorce. How can they ensure continued support for their children during such a challenging time? Let our experienced child support lawyers at Joseph T. Rhodes Law Firm assist you in creating the perfect child support arrangement!
In divorce cases, the court will address child support arrangements if there are minor children affected by the parent’s separation. These discussions are pivotal, especially when one party is the primary earner and supports the family financially. Without a court order, the custodial parent, often earning less, may struggle to meet the children’s needs.
Our Hephzibah child support lawyers are experienced in handling various child support cases. We will navigate you through the discussions, help identify the optimal arrangement for you and your ex-spouse to secure child support, and ensure the arrangement is enforced. If any issues arise, we can contest them on your behalf or seek modifications, guaranteeing your children’s needs are met consistently.
Call Joseph T. Rhodes Law Firm at (706) 914-2904 for your Free Consultation with our Hephzibah Child Support Attorney!
Child Support Calculation
In Georgia, child support can cover all the couple’s children who reside with you and need support. If the parents are not married, the father will be required to establish paternity and legitimize their rights before being asked to provide child support. Child support can also be included in a divorce or separation order, a custody order, and as part of a family protective order if the one tasked to pay support has committed family or domestic violence.
The child support amount will depend on factors such as the monthly gross income of each parent, the number of children that will be covered, and the cost of the child’s health care insurance and other childcare expenses. The judge handling the case will use specific guidelines to determine the exact amount. However, these guidelines may not be used depending on the situation and will be in writing for reference.
Our Hephzibah, GA family law firm has been working on child support cases for years, allowing us to stay up-to-date with the state’s child support guidelines and the court processes to specify the total amount. We will guide you through the computation and determine whether you can afford it if tasked with paying, or if it will be sufficient for your child’s needs.
Child Support Enforcement
When the court issues a child support order, it remains in effect until the child reaches the age of 18. However, the court has the authority to extend the support if the child is still a full-time student upon turning 18 and is neither married nor emancipated. In such cases, the child support order will be prolonged until the child turns 20 or graduates, depending on whichever occurs first. Child support coverage may vary if the child has a medical condition or disability.
If the parent responsible for paying child support is unable to fulfill their obligation for any reason, the judge can impose penalties and hold them in contempt. Notification of the violation must be given to the court, and a hearing will be scheduled to address the case. Georgia’s Department of Human Services Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) is also available to assist parents in enforcing the child support order, ensuring that the obligated parent is located and monitored for their payments.
If you encounter difficulties receiving child support, you can rely on your designated Hephzibah child support lawyer to help. We can report the case to the DCSS or the court and ensure that the order is enforced. If you have a legitimate reason for being unable to make timely payments, we can assist you in presenting your situation in court and help you access DCSS services, such as job placement, that facilitate your ability to fulfill your child support obligations.
Child Support Modification
As a child grow, their needs will change, and the amount provided by the child support arrangement may not be sufficient. The providing parent may also encounter difficulties, such as job loss or emergency expenses, in fulfilling their child support responsibilities.
If a parent wishes to modify the support order, they must demonstrate to the court that a significant change in their long-term conditions affects their income or their child’s needs. The court will review the evidence to determine if a modification is warranted. Parents can also seek help from the DCSS to assess the child support order and determine the validity of the modification request. The agency can provide recommendations for the court and the parents to consider when deciding on the child support modification.
If approved, parents can only request further modification after two years. The two-year waiting period can be waived for situations such as sudden job loss, remarriage, or the failure of the non-custodial parent to visit.
Our Hephzibah child support lawyers can help you review your current situation to determine if a modification can be requested for your existing child support order. If there is a legitimate need to modify the child support order, you can trust us to file the necessary documents with the court for consideration and negotiate the amount. Additionally, you can rely on our law firm to assist you in filing for child support modification if you are assigned to pay child support and need extra help making it more manageable for your current situation.
Free Consultation Today
Our children need all the help they can get to grow without problems and pursue their big or small goals. This support should not waver in the event of a divorce, as your children require reassurance that you are still committed to their well-being despite the separation.
At Joseph T. Rhodes Law Firm, you can rest assured that you are in safe hands. Our team is dedicated to making the legal process easy to understand and assisting you in creating the best child support arrangement for your children. We stand by you in addressing any issues affecting the enforcement of the child support order and making necessary modifications for court consideration. Learn more today by contacting our hotline, and one of our lawyers will be more than happy to get you started.
Call Joseph T. Rhodes Law Firm at (706) 914-2904 for your Free Consultation with our Hephzibah Child Support Attorney!