Are you wondering when to get a lawyer for child support? Here’s what you need to know.

A divorce is never an easy option. In many cases, it might be the only option or a decision that you must make for the sake of your mental well-being and certain other factors, and we completely understand that.

However, the moment it becomes a long process for you is when kids are involved.

Now, if you and your partner are divorced or separated, you probably can go on and live your own lives freely. Still, if you have had a child together, separation, in this case, does not necessarily mean you will never have to see each other again.

Several things are involved when there are kids, as both parents share this responsibility. You certainly will not get away with it until all the children (if there is more than one) turn 18. At the same time, there are exceptions to this as well.

Let’s discuss when to get a lawyer for child support, in case you and your partner have just gotten separated.

Do You Need a Lawyer for Child Support?

While the first thing that may come to your mind as a loving parent could be the child’s custody, child support is something that goes hand in hand and is equally crucial for you to understand.

Child support, also referred to as a payment plan, is used to cover the child’s expenses paid by the non-custodial parent.

If custody is shared, the amount can vary depending on the amount of time the child spends with each parent, as well as other factors involved.

Child Support Legal Issues

Even if one parent has custody of a child, both parents still must provide for the child’s needs.

Court systems often order the non-custodial parent, the parent with whom the child spends less time, to pay child support.

A child support obligation usually lasts until a child turns 18 or graduates from high school.

The issue of child support arises in family law cases involving divorce or child custody.

The family court judge or the parents decide the amount of child support as part of their settlement agreement or court order, which also divides their assets and may require payment of spousal support, also known as alimony.

In some states, child support guidelines determine the amount of child support.

When cases become complex or contentious, many parents need an experienced child custody attorney or family lawyer to help them figure out child support issues.

Child support calculations can be complex due to the numerous factors involved.

Courts look at the number of children, the cost of health insurance and childcare, each parent’s income, and the amount of time the children spend with each parent. It can be from a custody arrangement or a court order.

If one parent is self-employed, calculating child support can be even more complicated. Family law attorneys have experience navigating these issues and understanding state law.

Why is Child Support Necessary?

Now, it may seem obvious that you need to support a child until they turn 18 because they are dependent on you, but child support is much more than just that.

It does not necessarily mean that the non-custodial parent must cover only those expenses that can be considered necessary.

The rationale behind this law is essentially about providing the child with a lifestyle that he or she would have enjoyed if the parents were not getting a divorce or being separated.

It is also the reason why the calculation of child support is a highly technical process.

There is a process that is followed to identify a specific percentage of the combined salary of both parents, which should be used towards the financial support of raising their child.

You may have gained some insight into how the whole matter can be more complicated than you initially thought, and this brings us to our fundamental question, which we will now answer.

When to Get a Lawyer for Child Support?

As stated earlier, in most cases where a divorce or separation occurs involving children, there may be a need to hire a lawyer for a child support case. Most cases are complicated, and being on the same page about the entire situation is not necessarily how things move forward.

While the complications are case-specific and every situation requires a different solution, hiring an experienced lawyer for your case would be the right choice.

1. Expenses Not Included Earlier: You may need legal help if you want the non-custodial parent to pay for a cost, such as tuition fees for an elite high school that you want your child to attend.

2. The Age Limit: There are some exceptions. If your child has not completed high school by the age of 18, you are still obliged to pay child support until they turn 21.

Apart from that, if your child is mentally or physically disabled, the payment plan will entirely change depending on the situation.

You would have to abide by the state laws, in which only a lawyer can help you out and let you know about your possible options.

3. If you are a mother: Hence, if you think that since you are the mother, you do not need a lawyer because the court will consider it, you may not be entirely right on this one.

It all depends on the salaries of both parents, so you need to know about this before entering the court.

Benefits of Hiring a Child Support Lawyer

Having a Complicated Case

While most cases are complicated when it comes to divorce, including children, the matters get even more complicated because of child support, specifically because money is now involved.

If you hire an experienced child support lawyer, they will have solved cases with similar issues before. They will therefore be well-versed, regardless of how complex your situation might be.

Knowledge of the Court

Things can get messy in the court, and if you are not a lawyer, you are not accustomed to it.

A lawyer will not only handle situations correctly in the court for you but will also be able to enlighten you on the proceedings and everything you need to know about child support laws.

Your Partner May Have a Lawyer

If your case is complicated and you think you can’t communicate rationally with your partner, going in front of them in court when they have a lawyer might be a decision you may regret later.

None of us wants that, and so in such cases, having an experienced child support attorney at your side is not just beneficial but also extremely necessary.

Child Custody and Support

Both things go hand in hand, and the decision for one may ultimately determine the outcome for the other.

Hence, if you have a lawyer by your side, they can help you with both cases so that your case is studied just by them, and they know everything they need to know to win the case for you.

Conclusion

Parents involved in cases with child support sometimes forget why they are fighting. They should protect the well-being of the child under the child support laws.

Child support lawyers are aware of this when negotiating a child support agreement. It can be addressed through a child custody agreement, even if it is not binding on the court.

If you are facing a child support case, a child support lawyer is the best you can meet immediately for legal advice about financial support for your child when you want to hire a child support lawyer.