Long Beach Divorce Lawyers
Divorce may dissolve a legal marriage between two people, but it does not absolve the obligations to car for any existing children who are minors, that the two share, including of financial support. This financial support that is allocated monthly by the "non-custodial" parent is called child support.
California Ensures That Minors Receive Child Support
Presently, in California (and in most other states) child support payments are mandatory, if you are an individual who has been determined to have children who are minors 18 year old or younger. This is regardless of whether you were with the legally married to the mother of the children, or simply fathered children out of wedlock. Today, child support payment amounts are primarily generated by an automated program, commonly referred to as a "calculator".
HOW CHILD SUPPORT IS CALCULATED
Often, just an estimate, child support payments are calculated by state-determined guidelines that consider:
- The needs of the child (education and health costs, caretaking costs and other special needs);
- The income and needs of the custodial parent as well as the non-custodial parent;
- The paying parent's ability to pay;
- And in some cases, the child's standard of living before divorce or separation.
FIGHTING FOR CHILD SUPPORT
Truthfully, depending on the state in which you live and the leniency given to a judge’s discretion, the automated child support amount can rarely be contested. But if you and your children are currently not getting the child support that you are legally entitled to receive, Gorski Family Law attorneys will fight for you. We have experience in dealing with issues of paternity determination and back-pay. We go to court for you and obtain an order to do such things, as garnish the paying parent’s wages, liquidate assets, and impose any other necessary order to ensure that your children get the financial support they deserve!
MODIFYING CHILD SUPPORT AGREEMENTS
Let’s face it, any good parent wants to provide the best they can for their children. But sometimes, bad or unexpected things can happen to us that hinder us from continuing to provide for our children. If you are a parent who was paying child support, but suddenly is no longer able to, Gorski Law Firm family lawyers can assist you. If you have recently experienced a temporary inability to pay because of illness or an additional financial burden such as a medical emergency or job loss, you may qualify to get your child support payments modified until you are back on your feet.
Understanding your rights and making fair support arrangements for your children helps make sure they are provided for in the event of divorce. Call us toll free at 888-483-3287 for a consultation and to find out your options. If you have a case of no-payment, back-payment, or looking to modify your child support payments, our specialized Bakersfield and Long Beach divorce lawyers can ensure you and your children to get what is needed.