Blue Jay Child Support Attorney
For children to grow into healthy and well-rounded individuals, they must have access to basic goods and services without worry. However, since they are too young to work, parents are responsible for meeting their children’s needs without question. But what happens when parents divorce or are not married? Who provides for the child?
TA Law Group is your Blue Jay, CA family law firm if you are looking for ways to establish a strong and reliable child support arrangement for your child.
We will help you make sense of the state’s guidelines on building child support arrangements and assist you in negotiating with the other party if some points need addressing. You can also count on us to help you get the child support agreement enforced or modified and ensure it will not affect your child’s life.
Call TA Law Group at (818) 578-4138 for your Free Consultation with a Blue Jay Child Support Attorney.
How is Child Support Determined in California
Parents have the option to negotiate amongst themselves regarding how to divide child support duties. In California, parents can use the online program available on the state’s website to compute the estimated amount for child support and negotiate the amount as needed. They may deviate from the state guidelines if their circumstances do not fit the standard. The agreement made by both parties for child support or the stipulations should be approved by the court and signed in good faith.
If parents are unable to agree on a child support program for their children, the court or the California Department of Child Support Services can get involved. The court can also provide temporary child support while the divorce proceedings are taking place. Once approved, child support usually lasts until the child is 18 years old, but circumstances such as a medical condition or the parent’s willingness to continue the support can extend its duration.
Whichever option you select, it will be a tricky discussion either way. However, you can make it easier for both parties by having an experienced Blue Jay child support lawyer guide you through the discussions. TA Law Group is here to help you work on a suitable child support arrangement based on the state’s guidelines. We can also help you understand the state’s law in case your situation prevents you from abiding by the state guidelines when computing child support.
Child Support Payments: What Parents Need to Know
Under California law, both parents are responsible for supporting their children, but when they are divorced or separated, one will pay child support. Meanwhile, the other parent will directly contribute to their obligations by paying for their child’s daily needs. As to who exactly pays child support, it is usually the one who earns more, but there are cases where the parent who does not earn a lot is ordered to pay more child support. There are even cases where both parents will be asked to pay child support. In terms of computing child support payments, various factors, such as the gross income of both parents, disposable income, the number of children, and the parent’s financial situation, are considered.
If the parents both have low incomes, California’s guidelines will provide low-income adjustments when determining child support amounts. The state recently updated the threshold for low-income adjustments to match current inflation rates, and it will be applied automatically during the computations.
When the amount is identified, child support will be collected through income withholding, which will be forwarded to the recipient’s parent in their bank account or electronic payment card. If the parents are self-employed or unemployed, judges may order the payment to be made in advance to guarantee payments.
If you want to learn more about the state’s guidelines on child support and see how they can be applied to your case, ask our assigned Blue Jay child support lawyer for your case. We will study your circumstances and explain the guidelines to you so you know which criteria to negotiate on. Our legal team can also negotiate on your behalf should the other party question the amount you need to pay or receive as child support.
Enforcing Child Support Orders in California
In cases where the parent assigned to pay child support does not fulfill their responsibilities for any reason, the receiving parent can seek the court’s help to enforce the child support agreement and collect any unpaid support.
The offending parent may be held in either criminal or civil contempt, depending on the amount that is left unpaid by the other parent. They may also face jail time and additional fines, which they have to pay on top of the unpaid child support. Contempt can only be done within three years since the last payment was made, and it can be repeatedly filed until the other parent pays the overdue child support.
The court may also consider other avenues to enforce the child support order and impose penalties. Some examples of these avenues include seeking financial retribution, selling the parent’s property, withholding wages, and preventing them from getting a license or getting credit.
If the other parent fails to abide by their child support responsibilities, contact your assigned Blue Jay child support lawyer at any time. We will assist you in filing the correct legal action against this parent and collecting the payment with the help of the court.
Modifying a Child Support Order in California
The court can issue a modification to a child support order if they see the necessity to do so. They will look into factors such as the parent’s current employment or financial standing, the child’s changing needs, or the parents’ current marital status. Even if only one parent requests for the child support modification, the judge will still consider the other parent’s status and the time they spend with the child to determine how the order can be adjusted.
TA Law Group can help you review your current child support agreement and see what modifications can be made before you can request it before the court. Your assigned Blue Jay child support lawyer can also negotiate on your behalf and present the evidence as to why a modification should be considered.
Free Consultation Today
As a parent, it is not enough to shower your children with love in order for them to grow. You will also need to ensure their needs are met and give them the financial boost they need to reach their goals. Even if you are getting separated or divorced, you can still ensure that your children are provided for at all times.
Don’t hesitate to contact our lawyers at TA Law Group at any time to receive the legal advice you need to work out a good child support arrangement for your children. We will be your reliable legal team throughout the negotiations and guarantee that your child will not have any issues with their needs while we work on your case.
Call TA Law Group at (818) 578-4138 for your Free Consultation with a Blue Jay Child Support Attorney.