Child Support Attorneys Helping Clients in Arizona

When going through the divorce or separation process, the effect this will have on your children is one of the top worries you may have. You may already be watching out for your child’s well-being and the emotional and psychological needs that could arise from the divorce proceedings. Their lives are about to change as their parents are splitting up, and you may feel overwhelmed before even considering whether they will be provided for with the financial support you need for the future. The responsibility your ex-spouse must maintain doesn’t end at spousal maintenance but should also cover the needs of your children. If you are the providing spouse, you will want to make sure that the amount of support payments is fair for you as well. The process for child support cases can be tricky to negotiate with all of the changing factors in both parents’ situations. Our family law lawyers at The Sampair Group have many years of experience in helping with child support calculations and ensuring that both parents are dealt with fairly under Arizona law. We recognize that the well-being of the children is the top priority in any legal matter, and we take pride in protecting the interests of children at all times. To schedule your consultation, give us a call at 623-777-3909.

How is Child Support Calculated in the State of Arizona?

There are several steps in deciding the amount of child support obligations each parent will maintain after a divorce. The following are some actions that will occur during the procedure of establishing child support:

Determining the Gross Income of Both Parents

The gross income of the parents will include the following sources:

• Wages or salary earned
• Any bonuses earned by the parents
• Commissions
• Dividends from investments
• Severance pay due to either parent
• Any trust income
• Social security, disability, or unemployment benefits
• Any spousal maintenance received
• Prizes or recurring gifts from any source

Evaluating any Necessary Adjustments

The amount of gross income will be adjusted as necessary if any of the following items exist:

• A spouse is paying spousal maintenance
• A spouse receives child support from any other relationships
• A parent provides for a child as the primary residential custodian
• A parent provides support for a child who is not subject to a court order

Subtracting any adjustments from the gross income gives the court a good idea of how much each spouse is earning.

Adding any Other Expenses for Caring for the Child

The court will then use the combined gross income minus any deductions to determine the amount of child support obligations. They will also probably add the cost of additional expenses such as medical and dental insurance as they see fit. Sometimes courts will increase these added expenses by the amount of childcare or any extraordinary health care that is required for the child, also taking into account the number of children in the family.

Dividing the Expenses Between the Two Parents

The final step in deciding the amount each parent must pay toward supporting the child is calculating the percentage of child support that each owes according to their adjusted gross income. The court will make adjustments for things such as parenting time in deciding the final proportions each must pay.

Many complications can arise during the process of finding the amount of child support owed to the custodial parent. Since child support is a legal obligation, it is necessary to have a child support lawyer on your side to be sure that the amount of child support is fair to both sides and is enough to provide for the children in the family. Reach out to The Sampair Group today to find out what steps to take in your child support case, and we can discuss the details of your situation and help you get the results you deserve.

What Issues may Arise in My Child Support Case?

One situation that can complicate your child support orders is how custody is shared between the parents who are separated. For example, if they have 50/50 joint custody, it is possible that the court could refuse to order child support. However, with unequal incomes, a child support obligation may be ordered.

Another possibility is that one spouse makes more from their employment than the other. When the support obligations are calculated, the court will take this into consideration and can adjust the payments according to the amount earned by each parent. For the noncustodial parent who earns less than their ex-spouse, you may still have to make child support payments. The court will determine the amount according to various factors and determine whether or not you will be required to pay child support.

What Happens if Something Changes that Affects Child Support?

Various changes may occur in your life or that of your ex-spouse that can sometimes affect child support, although, in some instances, payments do not change. If your ex moves to another state with your children, for example, the child support payments will not be affected but will be sent to the children’s new home. In the case that the ex-spouse remarries, the new spouse’s income will not affect your obligation to pay either. However, if your ex has children with their new spouse, this can affect their payments to you if you are the recipient of child support.

Another situation that can affect child support is the loss of a job. You can file a petition to modify the amount of child support in these cases; however, you will have to continue paying until the court determines the amount of modification needed. It’s also important to note that if the court finds that you voluntarily reduced your income in an attempt to avoid making child support payments, your petition for modification may not be approved. In these and any legal matters, you need talented attorneys like those in The Sampair Group to help get the results you deserve.

How Can Our Child Support Lawyers Help You?

Many factors go into determining the amount of child support due from both parents after a divorce. You will want all the factors that are pertinent in your case to be carefully presented before the court so you get all the benefits you deserve. Our talented legal team knows how to get results in child support cases in the Arizona legal system. Don’t walk out of your divorce with lower payments than you and your children need. Schedule your confidential consultation today by calling our law firm at 623-777-3909, and we can discuss the details of your case to find out what child support obligations you can expect.