When the parents of a juvenile do not live together and jointly raise their offspring, the law requires the parties to provide financial support to the child. This comes in the form of monthly payments from one parent to another. These issues can be contentious, making it important to seek out guidance from a seasoned family attorney.
When you face the potential for a support dispute, now is the time to talk with a lawyer. You deserve to be treated fairly in these cases, and that involves paying a reasonable amount that exclusively supports your children. A Riley County child support lawyer could advocate for you and protect your rights throughout the process.
When a judge in Riley County considers the issue of child support, they will take into account a wide range of factors, which an attorney can prepare you for. One of the underlying issues is that the parent who provides the child with a place to live usually contributes the largest expenses like housing or food. The non-custodial parent is generally required to make financial payments to cover their share of these expenses.
A judge will look at the income of each parent when determining what is owed. They will also consider the number of children shared by the parties in addition to any existing alimony obligation.
In general, parents are obligated to support their children until they reach the age of majority, which is usually when the child turns 18. Exceptions in the law could leave a parent responsible beyond the 18th birthday.
One specific example involves a juvenile that reaches the age of majority while they are still in high school. Under these circumstances, the law expects a parent to support their child until they graduate. A lawyer in Riley County could educate a parent on these child support policies so they thoroughly understand their obligations.
While courts consider their child support orders final, they could be altered in the future. Instead of meaning that these are set in stone forever, the word final means the terms of the order will remain in place indefinitely. A judge has the power to alter the support arrangement if there is a reason to do so.
Before the court agrees to modify the terms of a support order, the parent seeking the change must show that circumstances have changed in a material way. This could be a change in the life of either parent or the child in question. Material changes are major shifts in life; a judge will not amend or alter a support decision based on minor issues.
There are different things that can come up in life that might lead the court to modify this order. A sudden increase or decrease in income could be considered material. The same is true if the juvenile suddenly contracts a major illness that requires extensive medical care. A Riley County attorney could advise when modifying child support is an option.
When you are facing the potential of divorce or are in a dispute over child support with your co-parent, now is the right time to discuss your options with a lawyer. A Riley County child support lawyer could ensure your parental rights are protected. Call as soon as possible to consult with an attorney on the next steps in your case.
