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Scottsdale Child Support Attorneys Helping Parents Get the Financial Resources They Deserve

As a newly single parent, you have a lot on your plate. You may already feel exhausted emotionally and physically from the legal process of your divorce. In addition, you are probably worrying about the effect the divorce proceedings will have on your children, including their emotional and psychological well-being, as well as whether they will be financially secure in the future. The child’s life is about to change drastically as he or she may face relocation from one parent to the other, depending on the physical custody orders that the court has drawn up. You don’t need to go through the difficult process of getting a child support order alone. Depending on your situation, your spouse may share a major part of the financial burden according to Arizona child support guidelines. Legal counsel may be equally important for the providing spouse, as you will want to make sure the children’s financial support is divided fairly. Knowing what your child support obligation is can be a tricky process and will have a huge impact on your future and that of your children. You can rely on the child support lawyers at The Sampair Group to ensure your child support orders are presented properly before the court and that the results of your case come out in your favor. Contact us today at 623-777-3909 for a consultation.

What are the Steps to Calculate Child Support?

The process of calculating child support in Arizona involves several steps in order to evaluate each parent’s financial circumstances. While each case may unfold differently, the following are some actions that usually take place in child support cases:

Gross Income of Both Parents is Determined

The following sources of income will be considered:

  • Individual’s Wages
  • His or her Salary
  • Any bonuses earned
  • All Commissions
  • Dividends
  • Severance
  • Spousal support payments received
  • Any trust income
  • Social security
  • Disability, if applicable
  • Unemployment benefits
  • Any other income such as prizes or recurring gifts

Any Necessary Adjustments Are Made

The following items may require adjustments:

  • Payment of spousal maintenance
  • Receiving child support from previous relationships
  • The parent serves as the primary residential custodian for a child
  • Providing child support for a child not subject to a court order

Once these adjustments are removed from the parent’s income, the court has a decent estimate of what each parent earns.

Any Other Expenses Are Added

The next step that usually happens when calculating child support is to add in any other reasonable expenses that the parent foresees when taking care of the minor children. These could include medical and dental insurance. There are some cases where a court may consider adding in extraordinarily high medical expenses or the costs involved with childcare. The number of children in the family is also taken into account at this point. To know what you can expect the court to consider as an extra expense for you, please talk with a child support attorney with experience to give you the legal advice you need.

Costs Are Then Divided Between the Two Parents

The last step you can expect to happen when calculating child support obligations is that the final numbers arrived at after subtracting expenses from income will be divided between the two separated parents. The court will do its best to make sure this number is divided in a way that is proportional to each parent’s potential to pay, which is not always equal. Adjustments for things like parenting time are also considered during the calculations.

Figuring out how much child support is owed by each parent can be a complicated and daunting process. You will want to make sure your entire situation is considered by the courts so you can get the most favorable result possible, whether you are making or receiving payments. Child support is a legal obligation that will continue with you into the future for years to come, so you need the right decision to be made from the beginning. Should you need modification of your payments, this is possible but should also be done under the guidance of experienced child support attorneys. The Sampair Group can help with your child support orders, so contact us today.

What Else Could Affect My Child Support Order?

One matter that can change how a court decides on your child support orders is how physical custody is divided between you and your spouse. If physical custody is divided 50/50 with joint legal custody and the parents’ incomes are roughly equal, for example, the court may not decide to order any child support at all. For parents who do not have equal incomes, however, one parent may still have a child support obligation.

Another situation that often affects the child support amount is when one of the parent’s incomes is higher than the other. The courts will try to make the child support payments fair to both spouses, meaning a higher income could lead to a higher proportion of the child support they will have to pay. Additionally, some people think that a noncustodial parent earning less than their spouse will not need to provide child support, but this is not true. In certain cases, they will still have to make payments. Having family law attorneys on your side is the most important choice you can make to ensure your legal rights are protected in your child support case.

What if My Situation Changes and I Need to Modify Child Support?

Arizona child support guidelines do allow for modifications in certain instances, but not every life change merits a change in child support obligations. For example, when an ex-spouse relocates across state lines with the children, you will still have to pay child support. Another issue that often arises that does not affect child support is when a parent remarries, and their new spouse provides income for them. You will still be required to pay child support in this situation also. However, if you are the recipient of child support and your ex and their new spouse have children together, this could affect your ex’s payments to you.

Job loss is another factor that can change child support payments. You can legally petition to modify child support, but payment must continue until the court approves the modification. Using a child support attorney can help you make sure you are properly represented to get the right child payment amount for your family.

Does Your Family Need a Child Support Lawyer?

Getting the right child support can make a huge difference for you and your children, whether you are the recipient or if you are the parent making payments. Our child support attorneys know how to get the right results for you and can help you with mediation or with representation in the courts if necessary. Take the right steps today to make sure your children are financially secure for their future. Call The Sampair Group at 623-777-3909 for a consultation and let our talented legal team advise you on your child support case.