Child Support Attorneys: Things To Know When Paying Child Support
When you part with your partner and children are involved, you have to pay child support. This is the amount of money you pay to cater for the living expenses of your children. The law requires both parents to contribute to the proper upbringing of their children, but in most cases, the non-custodial parent is the one who pays money to the custodial parent. Are you the one paying child support? Here are a few things you should know:
You need a child support lawyer
You hired a lawyer when you were going through a divorce and it might still be hurting your wallet. Chances are that the amount you are supposed to pay for child support was determined when you were divorcing.
When you start paying for child support, you need a child support lawyer. The lawyer will guide you on how to go about the issue. Are you uncomfortable paying the amount set by the court? The child support lawyers will help you in presenting the issues in court and convince the court you can’t make the set amounts.
When hiring the lawyers, you shouldn’t hire just any professional you come across. For you to get the best results, hire a professional who is highly experienced in dealing with child support issues. The professional should also have a great personality so that you can have an easy time working with him/her.
Always pay on time
Since most people feel they shouldn’t be making the payments, they often make the payments late. Others fail to make payments for a few months with the intention of catching up later on. Don’t do this.
When you always make payments late, you risk pissing off your ex-partner. Your partner can also go to court citing inconsistency on your part. When they report you, you risk facing serious penalties that can result in loss of driver’s license, forfeited tax returns, jail time, and garnished checks.
When you are having money problems, you shouldn’t simply stop making the payments. The best way is to let the court know what you are going through and if you have been consistent in making the payments, and there is proof that you are going through a hard time, the court is in most cases ready to make the necessary adjustments.
Keep records of everything
When you were living with your partner and children, you didn’t care the amount of money you spent on them. This is no longer the case. Now you have to not the amount you spend and keep records of it. Keep receipts or receipt images of all the expenses you make for your child. This includes clothing, doctor visits, and any other thing.
The point of doing this isn’t to know how much you are spending on the child, it is to protect yourself in the event your ex-partner makes an argument that you aren’t making the necessary payments. The receipts serve as proof that you have been faithful in your payments.
The records also come in handy when renegotiating the child support payments
Go ahead and stop payments when the time is right
One of the most attractive things about child support is that it isn’t forever. It will come a time when you will stop making that dreaded cheque. Some of these situations include:
When the child is old enough: You are supposed to make child support payments until your child is 18. When your child reaches the maturity age, you should stop making the payments.
You live with your partner: It’s not uncommon to see divorced couples getting back together. Since you are already living together as a family, you don’t need to pay child support. Unlike when the child attains maturity age, you shouldn’t simply stop making the payments when you start living with your partner—let the court know about your arrangement.
You no longer have money: Shit happens in life. When you lose your job, or the business goes down and you no longer have money, you can’t make payments as you used to. If you don’t have money to pay, you should work with divorce lawyers Fairfax VA and present the issue in court and let the judge know why you can no longer make the payments.
You should note that you need proof for the judge to make the necessary adjustments. In most cases, the court will require you to make a minimum amount regardless of your situation. Remember, the children have to eat regardless of your financial condition.
