Representing Parents in Child Support Cases
When a child's parents are not living together, the non-custodial parent generally has an ongoing obligation to provide financial support. Securing fair and accurate child support determinations is an important aspect of California family law.
Whether you are going through a divorce, establishing paternity or seeking modification of an existing child support agreement, our experienced family law attorneys at Law Office of Melissa D. Cianci, in Roseville can help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Calculating and Enforcing Child Support
In California, as in most other states, child support is calculated using a formula that takes into account factors such as each parent's income, parenting time, and tax deductible expenditures Child support is an obligation that a non-custodial parent has to his or her child, even though the payment is made to the other payment.
In order to obtain a fair child support outcome, we must make sure the correct numbers are used in the child support formula. Each parent's income needs to be accurately documented, which can be difficult, for instance, when a parent is self-employed or hiding income.
Our lawyers work with forensic accountants and other experts, when necessary, to ensure that our clients have an opportunity to pursue appropriate child support determinations.
We also assist clients with child support enforcement. When a parent does not pay child support, our options include wage garnishment, bank levies, liens on tax refunds and use of the Department of Child Support Services.
Pursuing Modification of Support Orders
Once a child support order is entered, it can only be modified when there has been a substantial change in the underlying factors that go into the calculation. For instance, if you have lost your job or your spouse has remarried, you may be entitled to a child support modification.
Child support modifications should always be approved by the court. All too often, people make side agreements on child support while they are getting along, and then when they stop getting along, they find out that these agreements may not be enforceable.
Because custody is a factor in child support, if your child is spending more time with you than outlined in your parenting plan, or if the other parent is not taking the child during designated visitation periods, you may want to seek modification of both the custody and support orders. Contact us to discuss any concerns you may have about child support.
