Most of us dream of settling down one day and starting a family. There are numerous health benefits of having kids, both physical and mental.
While this is achievable in many circumstances, things don’t always pan out how we originally hoped they would. You might find yourself in a situation where you need to pursue child support payments.
Without the right child support attorney on your side, you might not get the desired outcome. Navigating a divorce with children can be a complicated process, but it doesn’t have to be. Let’s explore how you can leverage a child support attorney to ensure you get the payments you deserve.
Legal Familiarity
Your attorney will have comprehensive knowledge of how to handle your situation while preventing additional issues from arising. Child support comes with many complications that will be virtually impossible to work through on your own. For example, let’s assume your former spouse suddenly stops making child support payments and refuses to communicate with you.
Not only could it cause financial strain, you won’t be able to force them to resume payments. Your attorney can also handle income-related concerns, such as if you’re a low-income earner and your spouse is a high-income earner. It’s worth noting they can also clear up ambiguity about your situation and help you understand the obstacles you face.
Enforcement
As previously mentioned, you’ll need a qualified professional on your side if the other party refuses to comply. Your lawyer will help you determine the best course of action. Sometimes, the solution can be far more complicated than you might anticipate.
For example, your former spouse might have trouble making payments due to recently having lost their job. They might also be legitimately unable to make the required payments. If enforcement is the most suitable option, your lawyer can help ensure the judge sides with you.
The Other Party Has an Attorney
If the other party has an attorney and you don’t, you’ll be at a major disadvantage. There’s a good chance the situation will be in your former spouse’s favor.
Your attorney can negotiate with the other lawyer to come up with a solution that’s suitable for both parties. Finding an attorney becomes especially important if your former spouse is working with someone reputable.
Child Support Calculation
There are many situations where you might not understand how much the other party owes for child support. Your attorney will understand the exact information the judge will consider before deciding the amount of monthly child support payments.
This involves factoring in more than annual income and the number of children. There are also complex formulas that people outside the legal field have trouble understanding. Your attorney can help you figure out how much you’re entitled to in child support and do their best to sway the judge’s decision in your favor.
Assistance With Child Custody
In some situations, your divorce attorney could help with child custody. Issues related to child support and child custody cases are often resolved together.
Your situation can easily become more complicated if you figure out child support but can’t get full custody of your children. Regardless of what your case’s nuances are, your attorney can help you navigate them and create the best chance of things going your way.
Child Support Modification
It’s not uncommon for a previous child support order to no longer be sufficient. For instance, your cost of living may have increased substantially. Your former spouse’s income might have also exponentially grown in the past few years.
Your lawyer can assess your situation to determine if a “substantial change” has occurred, such as if the aforementioned income-related events transpire. One of the best ways they can help you is by providing the judge with the necessary documentation. This can vastly support your case and handle complications.
Handle Complexities
Even if child support cases start simple, they can quickly spiral out of control. For example, your ex-spouse might disagree with the amount you request in child support and do their best to fight against it.
Depending on the evidence they provide and the arguments they make, you might not be able to get the right amount without a lawyer’s help. The more complex your case is, the longer it will take to navigate without an attorney on your side. Some issues are also impossible to resolve without someone who has comprehensive legal knowledge.
Get Started With A Child Support Attorney
If you’re having issues with your child support payments, it’s essential to get in touch with a child support attorney as soon as possible. This will help ensure you overcome common pitfalls and get the best results for your needs.
New Direction Family Law prides itself on providing comprehensive, reliable legal services to our clients. We aim to help you navigate the nuances of family-related legal issues and get the outcome you deserve. You’ll learn more about the many benefits we can offer when you get in touch with us today.