Parents who have children who are dependent on them for money or emotional support may find themselves in legal hot water if they do not choose the best child support attorney for their case. The court will look at the income level of both parents, the type of income, the types of income and other facts surrounding each parent’s financial situation before making a ruling. One of the key things that parents should remember is that each state has different definitions of what is meant when it comes to child support. Some states consider overnights and bonuses as child support, whereas other states view bonuses as part of the payment of child care. If you want your attorney to be highly skilled at working out the specifics of child support laws in your specific state, then it is imperative that you be honest with him or her from the start. If you try to skimp on this aspect of your child support case, then you could be putting your child at risk.
Parents who have separated or divorced several years ago may not be in the best position to be spending money on a child support attorney. If they were still married, the former spouse may be able to garnish their salary. The court can also require certain payments to be made for the welfare of the children. However, if parents can prove from the start that they cannot afford to make these payments, then they may not be able to get their child support payments reduced.
Parents who want to reduce or eliminate over-payment or late-payment charges on their child support payments should consult with an experienced St. Louis civil attorney who specializes in this area. The lawyer may be able to negotiate a child custody modification that the custodial parent can agree to. In some cases, he or she may even be able to get the noncustodial parent to repay a portion of the money that has been ordered by the judge. If parents are able to work out an agreement, then it is very likely the ex-spouse will agree to the terms, as well.
A child support lawyer in St. Louis can also represent the noncustodial parent. He or she can help the client applies for a change to the order that is currently in place. It may not be possible, however, to get the change until the case is settled. Even then, it is unlikely that the noncustodial parent will agree to reduce his or her obligations. If they do, the lawyer can petition the court to change the order to reflect his or her client’s best interests. The new arrangement will likely cost the client extra money, but it may also be a better option than sending the children to live with their grandparents.
Even if an attorney represents both the custodial and noncustodial parent in a child support case, he or she will be responsible for filing proper paperwork to obtain what is ordered. This includes sending out all of the necessary forms to the custodial parent, as well as taking care of any documents that need to be turned in to the court. The best child support lawyers in St. Louis can help the custodial and noncustodial parent to complete these tasks quickly and accurately. Clients should make sure they understand the filing process completely before hiring a lawyer to handle their legal issues.
Parents who are about to go through a divorce should talk with a child support lawyer in St. Louis to determine the best way to pay the monthly obligation. Although parents may struggle financially, they have a duty to pay. The court makes this decision based on the age of the child, his or her health, the standard of living the child will have at his or her new residence, and other factors. When these factors are taken into consideration, the court is likely to order the obligee to pay child support.