Overview:

Child custody laws also have impacts on Child Support. One of the parents has to pay the child support expenses to raise the child. Typically it is considered that a father pays the child support but it is not necessary, as Child Support is simply paid to the custodial parent in the case of sole physical custody. Child Support is somewhat more complex in joint physical custody situations, but may still be paid, especially if there is a significant income difference between the parents.

It is important to have an experienced attorney for your assistance, who is sensitive to your needs and who can develop a strategy to protect your rights. An experienced attorney can negotiate the child custody issue with other party to reach an agreement before going to the court and you can save your expenses of child support litigation.


Determining Child Support:


Child Support is usually paid by the non-custodial parent, to ensure that their children have all the necessities of life to lead a comfortable life. Child support laws vary from state to state, but in all regions and jurisdictions, non-custodial parent is bound to pay Child Support according to the court orders, otherwise he/she can face legal penalties. Sometime parents reach some agreements or arrangements out of the courts, and decide that financial support or other non-financial support is provided by non-custodial parents to assist in supporting their child or children.


The Government's Role in Child Support:


In United States about 50 % of the marriages end in divorce and about 25 % children born of unmarried parents. In these circumstances it is very important to regularize the Child Support Laws. In past, the arrangement of child support was left to the parents, but now the state child support enforcement agencies are taking an aggressive role in seeking payments from non-custodial parents.
Frequently, the agency and court works together to implement a child support withholding order, by which the child support amount is automatically taken from the payer's paycheck. If the child support payments become offending, the agency can implement other collection mechanisms, such as withholding support amounts from tax refunds, or seizing real estate or personal property.


Child Support Facts:

• 50% of all white children growing up in single parent households, who do not receive support, live at or below the poverty level.



• 60% of all Hispanic children growing up in single parent households live at or below the poverty level.



• 70% of all black children growing up in single parent households live at or below the poverty level.



• The Federal Office of Child Support reports that almost $92.3 billion unpaid child support is due to almost 20 million children.

How Long Does Child Support Last:


Child Support Laws vary from state to state but in almost all cases, the child support continues until the child turns 18 years of age. At this stage he/she is supposed to be capable of supporting him/her self. Child support can also continue after a child has reached 18, if a parent is behind in their child support and still owes parent money from previous years. For this reason, many people might continue to get child support after their child has grown – but this is carry-over child support.


Changing Amounts or Type of Child Support:


It is not necessary that the financial position of parents remain same as it was before divorce. A divorce can affect adversely on the financial state of the parents. As to share the expense of living in a single home with other household expenses is quite easy as compared to bear the expenses of a separate house and utilities. Similarly the needs of child or children can also vary depending upon the situation. An appeal can be filed by the custodial or non-custodial parent to change the amount of child support or the type of child support.


What If Someone Doesn't Pay Child Support?


There are different ways of collecting Child Support through state’s criminal or civil laws, to deal with the parents who fail to obey court orders regarding child support payments. In each state there are agencies, known as "Title IV-D" agencies, which are required by Federal law to provide child support enforcement services to anyone who requests such services.


Dead-Beat Parent:


Those parents who do not pay the child support and develops arrears are termed as “Dead-Beat” parents. "Dead-Beat" is not a legal term, but only used by some government officials, by child support advocacy groups and by the media. Child support agencies typically describe clients as being in compliance, not in compliance or criminally non-compliant. Compliance is judged by the paying party's performance in meeting the terms of the legal child support court order.


Selecting an Experienced Attorney:


If you are facing a potential child support issue or dispute, whether due to divorce or as a single parent, an experienced Family Law Attorney, at Lawyer’s Area, can help by fairly and enthusiastically representing either side in a child support proceeding. The Family Law Attorneys will work to obtain the best possible result in the entry of a child support order, enforcement of an existing order, or in establishing or disproving paternity.