During the divorce process, some of the most important things that must to be decided are child support matters. If you and your spouse have minor children, both of you are required to continue to support them. You may need to secure help from a Simi Valley child support attorney in order to ensure you are being treated fairly. The certified family law specialists at the Law Offices of Ronald K. Stitch are ready to get to work on your behalf. We will make sure you are paying the correct amount or are receiving the support money you should be receiving.
Child support is vitally important
Child support payments are there to ensure the needs of your children are met. California has Child Support Guidelines that use a mathematical formula to compute child support awards.
Child support payments are taken seriously by the state of California. They are necessary so that the cost of raising a child does not fall on one parent. When you think about the cost of raising a child, it can be overwhelming:
- School supplies
- Clothing
- Food
- School tuition
- Medical expenses
- Childcare
You also need to keep in mind the costs of rent or mortgage payment and housing utilities.
Calculating child support payments depends on a number of factors that many people may not realize. Certainly, the income and housing situation of both parents will be examined, as will the final child custody agreement.
We also have experience handling the following:
- Calculating the income of self-employed parents
- Disputes with voluntarily unemployed parents
- Handling seasonal income and bonus pay
- Costs associated with caring for disabled children
- Other issues related to child support
Modifications may be necessary
After a divorce, one or both parents may undergo significant lifestyle changes that require a modification to child support. This could include the loss of a job, a promotion, the loss of a home, and more. Please do not make changes on your own. Always ensure you go through the California family court system.
Not paying child support
If a parent does not pay court-ordered child support, they could face serious legal trouble. Punishments for not paying child support include:
- Jail time and fines
- Accrual of debt that affects your credit score
- Interest on unpaid child support
- Liens on your property
Naturally, if your ex is not paying child support according to the terms established by the court, you may require assistance enforcing those terms. A Simi Valley child support attorney can provide the help you need.
However, there are instances when parents unfairly or dishonestly accuse their exes of not paying child support. You might therefore also benefit from legal representation if you are being falsely accused of paying less in child support than you have been ordered to pay. Again, because the punishments you may face if the court determines you are not adequately paying child support can have a significant impact on your life, you need to protect yourself with the help of a legal professional.
Additional factors potentially impacting child support payments
The factors a court may account for when making decisions regarding the terms of a child support arrangement in California can vary depending on the specific circumstances of a case. The factors mentioned above are not the only ones that a judge may consider when calculating child support payments.
For example, perhaps the parent who has full or primary custody of the children needs to pay for child-care services. This might be the case if they work during the day or are receiving training to improve their odds of securing gainful employment in the future. In this case, the court may require the other parent to assist in paying for child-care.
Travel costs might also be accounted for when a parent has been granted visitation rights. To ensure said parent is permitted to see their children according to the legal terms of their agreement, one parent may need to make regular travel arrangements. The cost of travel might thus be a factor the judge accounts for during the child support calculation process.
Additionally, a parent might be required to pay union dues, pay for health insurance, or make other such required payments that can limit the amount of money they can afford to pay in child support.
These are just a few examples. They are not meant to overwhelm you. Rather, they are meant to highlight the importance of coordinating with the experts at a Simi Valley child support law firm when child support payments are being calculated or disputes arise because one parent believes another is not paying what they are legally required to pay. Resolving these issues efficiently and in a manner that’s fair to you is much easier when you have proper legal representation.
Call us when you are ready to get started
If you are going through a divorce and have minor children, the entire ballgame is different. Divorces are tough as it is, but when figuring out child support, the process can get even more complex. When you come to the Law Offices of Ronald K. Stitch, we are going to be by your side. Our knowledgeable and experienced team wants to make sure you are treated fairly, whether you are the one receiving child support or the one paying child support. When you need a Simi Valley child support lawyer, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling 818-237-4574.