Child Support Information on Total Lawyers

If you are a parent involved in a divorce proceeding, child support will be a major factor to be decided. Each state has its own detailed guidelines regarding child support calculation. The best source of information about the child support guidelines in your state could be a local divorce attorney. Total Lawyers can put you in contact with a local divorce attorney in your area. Give us a call at 877-421-3761 or complete our divorce case evaluation form. You will immediately be connected to local divorce attorney in your state.

Child Support Guidelines

Many states establish strict child support guidelines based on the percentage of net income and the number of children, or a formula incorporating the income of both parents. In some states, courts are allowed to deviate from these guidelines if it is in the best interest of the child. Courts may consider the following factors:

• The needs of the child and their financial resources;
• The needs of the custodial parents and their financial resources;
• The type of life the child would have enjoyed had the couple not divorced;
• The child's physical and emotional condition;
• The child's educational needs; and
• The needs of the non-custodial parent and their financial resources.

Refusal to Pay Child Support

If you have been ordered to pay child support and refuse to comply with the obligation, the court or a state agency may take the following actions against you:

• Suspension of your driver's license;
• Publication of your name on "deadbeat" mom or dad list;
• Automatic subtraction of your child support money from your paycheck, tax refund or even from public assistance check; and
• Revocation of any professional licenses you may have.

In most states, there are also two ways that you can be sentenced to jail for failure to pay child support:

• Through a contempt citation for failure to comply with the court order; and
• Through prosecution for criminal non-support.

If you are supposed to be receiving child support payments from your former spouse and are not, there may be a variety of enforcement options available to you, and you'll want to discuss them with a divorce lawyer.

Modification of Child Support Order

If you have a valid reason that you are temporarily unable to make your child support payments, you should not simply ignore your obligation. Rather, ask the court to modify your amount of child support. Courts may grant a child support modification under the following circumstances:

• A significant drop in your income;
• A serious sickness or disability;
• A change in the child's condition (inheritance or age); or
• A change in the condition of your former spouse (diminished living expenses or higher income).

If you need to further discuss child support matters with a divorce attorney, contact Total Lawyers at 877-421-3761 or complete our divorce case evaluation form. You may immediately be connected to a divorce attorney within your area.