Scottsdale Child Support
Attorneys
Our primary goal is to assist you with resolving your family law issue efficiently and affordably while protecting your interests. Our Scottsdale child support attorneys exercise a no-nonsense style of practice. We are upfront and straightforward about the strength of your positions so you can make appropriate and informed decisions about your family law matter.
Child Support Why Choose BTL Family Law as Your
Scottsdale Child Support Attorney?
Navigating child support cases requires an in-depth understanding of family law, a compassionate approach, and the ability to negotiate and litigate effectively. Our dedicated team of Scottsdale family law attorneys brings all these assets to the table.
We comprehend that child support is more than just a legal obligation – it concerns the well-being and growth of your child, which is why it’s a matter of utmost concern and priority to us. At BTL Family Law, our attorneys are well-versed in Arizona’s specific child support laws and understand the unique circumstances and implications each case embodies.
Whether we’re negotiating fair child support payments or leading the charge to safeguard your child’s interests during litigations, our firm’s commitment to upholding your child’s rights is unwavering. And it is this very approach that has led to us receiving referrals, the most significant testament of trust and satisfaction from our clients. Entrust us with your child support case, and allow us to provide the legal support you need in this critical phase of your life.
A child support order is never meant to punish the other parent, and knowing that should make it easier for the parents to work together on this important issue.
Scottsdale Practice Areas
Schedule a Consultation with a Scottsdale Child Support Lawyer Today
We are here to answer your questions, discuss your options, help you understand your rights.
Understanding Child Support
Child support is a financial commitment mandated by the court, generally levied upon the non-custodial parent, to aid in the sustenance, education, and overall welfare of their child or children. The essence of child support lies in the basic principle that children have the right to benefit from the financial means of both parents, regardless of their marital status.
It’s important to understand that child support isn’t a bargaining tool or a punitive measure. It’s a mechanism designed to meet the child’s fundamental needs, such as housing, food, healthcare, and education. It helps to prevent financial disparities between parents’ homes from impacting the child’s upbringing.
Child support payments are generally put into effect during or after divorce proceedings, but they are also relevant for parents who were never married. The obligation to pay child support generally continues until the child reaches the age of majority, though there are exceptions, like if a child has special needs that might extend the support duration.
Understanding child support is crucial for both the paying and recipient parent. It helps set realistic expectations and ensures that the child’s interests are always prioritized. As your Scottsdale child support attorneys, we are committed to helping you navigate Arizona’s specific laws and regulations, enabling you to work towards a solution that safeguards your child’s wellbeing. Discover legal guidance and insights from top-notch Scottsdale child support attorneys, ensuring the best outcomes for your family’s future. It is vital to establish support as soon as possible, along with other child custody issues, so the children can have the stability and support they deserve.
How Is Child Support Determined?
The amount of child support owed is actually dependent on many factors, and Arizona family law attorneys will ask you several questions in your initial consultation that may not seem relevant.
The Arizona child support guidelines take into consideration many factors, which you will need to document for your case.
Income
Income is the first factor to consider when establishing child support. Each parent must present proof of all income. However, you can take into account other child support and/or spousal maintenance you may already be paying.
Arizona also allows a low-income adjustment for parents who have trouble meeting their own basic needs.
Health Insurance
Either parent may provide health insurance, and the amount paid for the policy to cover the child/children can be a consideration in the support order.
Childcare
Childcare expenses may be one of the biggest family expenses, but make it possible for the parents to work. Be sure to discuss your childcare expenses with your attorney to determine if it is appropriate to include them on the child support worksheet.
Education
Educational expenses, such as tuition and fees, could be included on the child support worksheet, depending on the circumstances of your case.
Special Needs
Some children have special needs, such as health or education needs beyond the ordinary, which can impact the award of child support in a few different ways.
Age
Arizona allows adjustments for older children, as they often do not cost as much in time or money.
Time
Parenting time is another important factor when determining child support. The calculation of parenting time days isn’t always as straightforward as people think. It is important to discuss this topic with your attorney.
How Can I Apply for Child Support?
If you were married and went through a divorce with children, issues such as child custody and child support will be part of the final divorce decree.
The family court hearing your divorce case will either accept your agreement or decide the issues based on the evidence you present if you can’t come to an agreement.
Your Scottsdale divorce lawyer will work through those issues with you as part of the Arizona divorce process, where you will also get a chance to work out other issues.
There is spousal maintenance in Arizona, and this may be another part of the support you get, at least temporarily, after the divorce. You can also get child support and any other relevant benefits if you are legally separated, which is a factor to consider when contemplating legal separation vs. divorce. You may not want the finality of a divorce, at least not yet, but your Scottsdale family law lawyer can help you decide what’s best for now.
In Arizona, the father has no right to the child until paternity is established. That means there can also be no child support order. In order to establish the father’s rights, it is necessary to either get an agreement between both parents or from the court.
If the Other Parent Isn’t Paying, What Can I Do?
Arizona has established various remedies to enforce a child support order.
- Income withholding, so the money is taken directly from their paycheck
- Enforcement and/or contempt.
With these actions, you can seek sanctions from the court so that the other parent pays their obligations.
Child support is considered a top priority in the eyes of the court. If a parent is not paying their child’s support obligation, there must be a good reason.
Your children deserve the support the court ordered. If you are not receiving the support, speak with an attorney about your options to enforce the court’s order.
Child Support Enforcement
Child support orders often accompany divorce decrees and child custody determinations. However, they can also be their own standalone order, too.
This is particularly true if you are legally separated or you were never married to the child’s parent.
Child support provides vital funds to ensure a parent has appropriate resources to care for the child. It helps assist with food, housing costs, medical needs, education expenses, and a lot more to ensure that the child’s best interests are being served.
Failing to pay child support or even paying child support late can seriously harm the custodial parent and the child involved.
Because child support is determined by the court, failing to pay is actually a violation of a court order. As a result, all kinds of negative consequences can result from the failure to pay.
Unfortunately, the threat of adverse actions does not stop some people from simply declining to provide for their children as the court orders.
Thankfully, you have options under Arizona law to get the money that is owed for past missed payments.
Can I Change the Child Support Order After the Judge Decides How Much Should Be Paid?
The original support order is only meant to cover that time period.
Circumstances change, and if you and your family experience a continuing change in circumstances, you can ask the judge to review your case and issue a new order.
Child support modifications may occur for many different reasons, such as loss of employment, a big difference in parenting time, or even a change in health insurance costs.
When there is a change in parenting time, a change in child support will typically follow.
What if the Other Parent Wants to Modify Child Support?
Enforcing child support orders and modifying child support are actually two separate procedures in Arizona.
That means that the parent who owes support cannot claim that they do not have to pay because the child support order should be modified. They can make that argument later, but that does not help the amount of support that they already owe.
Modifying child support requires that you file a Petition for Modification and show that there has been a material change in circumstances since the child support was entered.
That material change can be based on the parent or the child. Most often, it is due to a change in income, but not always.
How Our Scottsdale Child Support Lawyers Can Help
Investing in skilled legal guidance for your child support proceedings ensures the best possible outcome for your family, particularly for your child. This is where our Scottsdale child support attorneys step in to provide competent and comprehensive legal aid.
Our team strongly believes that your family’s needs are unique, warranting personalized attention. Armed with savvy negotiation skills and profound legal knowledge, our attorneys work diligently to secure child support agreements in your child’s best interests while protecting your rights.
We provide assistance in accurately calculating child support, understanding the variables involved, and the nuances inherent to Arizona’s child support laws. This critical insight can prevent overpayment or underpayment and helps foresee potential challenges.
In cases involving disputes or complexities, our attorneys are prepared to vigorously represent you in court, presenting evidence effectively to safeguard your interests and those of your child.
Furthermore, we understand that circumstances and a child’s needs change. Our attorneys can guide you through the process of child support modification, ensuring the revised arrangements continue to serve the child’s best interests.
We are also equipped to assist with child enforcement matters. If a parent fails to meet child support obligations, we can help you take legal action to enforce the court’s order.
With BTL Family Law, you can rest assured that your case is handled perfectly with dedication, professionalism, and empathy. We are here to simplify the process, answer your questions, and pave a secure path for you and your child’s future.
Experienced Scottsdale Family Law Attorneys
Child support and custody laws work to help meet the best interests of the child.
Our Maricopa County divorce attorneys understand, not only how sensitive and emotional these issues can be, but also how important they are to deal with so the children’s needs can be met.
Even when there has been an amicable divorce, there are additional legal issues that may still need to be considered.
Some parents aren’t thrilled to have to continue to work with their former spouse, but they will need to put that feeling aside in order to co-parent effectively. If they cannot, their actions could affect the legal decision-making orders.
Our experienced family law attorneys serve the areas of Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, and other surrounding areas.
We handle all legal matters surrounding the divorce process, including family law issues like custody cases, spousal support, and domestic violence.
If you want help with a family law case, please call our Scottsdale child support attorneys today.
BTL Family Law – Scottsdale Office
8980 E Raintree Dr #110
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
P: (480) 307-6800