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A child support lawyer can help establish the financial responsibilities of non-custodial parents to support their children. These laws are determined at the state level, but because child support orders often remain in effect until a child reaches adulthood (or longer in some cases), they can involve multiple jurisdictions as parents and children move. If you are in Virginia Beach and need a dedicated child support lawyer Wood-Hanna Law can offer the guidance you need to receive the best outcome for your children.
Child support determinations are typically part of broader family law cases that also address:
- Divorce and separation
- Paternity
- Custody and visitation
It’s essential to note that child support obligations are independent of other parental rights and responsibilities. For example:
- Support vs. Visitation: Even if a custodial parent denies visitation, child support payments must still be made.
- Legal Consequences: Failing to pay child support can result in contempt of court and other severe penalties.
If you’re navigating child support issues in Virginia Beach, an experienced child support lawyer can guide you through the legal process. Whether you need help establishing, enforcing, or modifying a support order, a knowledgeable lawyer in Virginia Beach can protect your rights and ensure the best interests of your child.
Obtaining a Child Support Decree
Requesting child support is a relatively straightforward process. If a family law case has already been opened, the parent entitled to support can simply file a petition for support with the court. A similar filing may be submitted in a new case, although special notice rules apply for initiating the case to ensure the court can lawfully assert jurisdiction over the other parent. In some cases, the non-custodial parent may be the one to request a child support order, as that parent will need to demonstrate that he or she is actively paying support before the court will grant requests pertaining to custody or visitation.
State statutes provide specific guidelines for calculating child support. To simplify the process, most states have published worksheets that allow parties to enter income and expense information to arrive at a “presumptive” monthly payment amount. This figure is said to be presumptive because it is possible to deviate upward or downward based on unique circumstances. If the parties can agree on the final amount, then a stipulated order can be submitted for the court’s approval. If the parties cannot agree, it will be necessary to hold a hearing for the judge to decide the matter.
From a tax perspective, child support payments are a neutral event. The custodial parent need not declare the payments as income, and the non-custodial parent cannot deduct them as an expense. Payments are made to the court or a state child support agency. Parents who are obligated to pay support should refuse requests for direct payment by the recipient parent. There are numerous cases in which a parent did not receive credit for child support paid directly to the other parent. Moreover, despite the fact that the money ends up going to the custodial parent, support is meant to benefit the child. Informal agreements between the parents excusing missed payments will not be recognized.
Modification of Existing Decrees
It is extremely common for child support orders to be modified from time to time to reflect changes in the living circumstances of the parties. As the child grows up, either parent may experience a sudden increase or decrease in income. The child may develop special interests or needs that result in additional expenses. If nothing else, periodic adjustments to child support will be necessary to keep up with inflation and ordinary increases in the cost of living. These and other factors can justify a modification of the support order, but the party requesting the change has the burden of proving that the changed circumstances meet the applicable legal standard in that jurisdiction.
Child Support Enforcement
In an ideal world every non-custodial parent would pay child support voluntarily. Of course this does not always happen, and it is often necessary to take steps to enforce a support order through the court system, a local government agency, or a private attorney. Child support orders are like other types of civil judgments. They can be collected by garnishing the non-custodial parent’s wages, seizing bank accounts and other personal property, or placing a lien on real estate. Special laws also allow past support to be collected from income tax refunds. Delinquent parents may also face suspension of driving privileges, passports, and professional licenses. In severe cases, a judge may decide to impose jail time as a penalty for non-payment.
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