Beachwood Child Support Attorney
Providing for our child’s needs is one of the most important responsibilities we as parents have. It is a shared responsibility, and even if parents separate or divorce, it must continue to ensure our child’s future is not at risk. If you are worried about your child not getting the financial support they need after your divorce is finalized, don’t worry; you can get the court involved.
The state of Ohio has clear guidelines on how and how much child support must be paid after a divorce. The law also indicates how the courts can review requests for child support modification and handle appeals if the assigned parent does not pay child support. The legal procedure after the court is informed of your case can be overwhelming, especially if you are unfamiliar with the legal jargon involved in these proceedings.
Whether you are fighting to get child support, tasked with paying support, or wish to get the order revised or enforced, you can trust the Beachwood child support lawyers of Davis and Associates Attorneys at Law to help. We take pride in our ability to personalize our legal services to support our clients from start to finish, ensuring your child’s financial needs are always met, regardless of your circumstances with your ex-spouse or partner.
Call Davis and Associates Attorneys at Law at (216) 284-0714 for a Free Consultation with a Beachwood Child Support lawyer.
Understanding Child Support in Beachwood
In Ohio, parents are legally obligated to support their children with their needs.
When the parents undergo a divorce, the parent who lives with the children or the residential parent already fulfills their support obligations to the children. This is why non-custodial or nonresidential parents are assigned to pay child support even if they have joint custody or shared parenting.
However, if the arrangement is split custody, the parent with the higher income is tasked with paying child support. The amount is based on the difference between what both parents can provide to ensure that child support is provided and that the children’s standard of living is protected at all costs.
How Child Support is Calculated
Ohio follows the Income Shares Model to calculate child support. This model identifies the amount both parents would and should spend on their children based on their annual gross income. If one of the parents only earns minimum wage, adjustments are made to ensure they have enough money to support themselves while still providing support.
Down below is a short list of sources that are classified as income under Ohio law:
- Salaries, tips, wages and severance pay
- Commissions, bonuses, and overtime pay
- Self-employment income
- Social Security benefits and pensions
- Trust income, interests, annuities
- Compensation benefits, such as unemployment and disability compensations
The law allows courts to make adjustments to child support calculations if the supporting parent is paying spousal support or if they are paying child support for other children from a different relationship. Should a parent try to avoid their obligations by quitting their job, imputed income (the income they should be earning) will be added to the computation. Further considerations, such as the parents’ prior arrangements, the children’s needs, and other obligations, can also influence the child support amount requested from the supporting parent.
If you want to know what influences the computation of child support payments and get a rough idea of how much you need to pay or receive, you can ask your Beachwood child support lawyer for assistance. They will review your situation carefully and utilize the guidelines to compute an estimated amount.
Enforcement of Child Support Orders
The duration of child support in Ohio varies depending on the court’s order and the child’s circumstances. Usually, it ends when the child turns 18 and is no longer in high school. It may also end if the child gets married, becomes legally emancipated, or enters the U.S. Armed Forces. Parents can continue paying child support even after completing the child support schedule.
If the assigned parent fails to provide child support, the court can utilize various enforcement mechanisms to collect their due. These mechanisms include:
- Wage garnishments
- Confiscation of tax refunds
- Suspension of driver’s license
- Contempt of court
- Fines
Davis and Associates Attorneys at Law’s team of child support lawyers is always ready to help you seek legal action if your ex-spouse does not make child support payments on time. They will also explain how the enforcement process works so that you know which options are available for your case.
Modifying Child Support Orders
Since children’s needs change as they grow older and parents’ circumstances may shift after an order is given, a recent amendment to the law ensures that child support orders in the state are regularly reviewed and adjusted. Parents may also request a change before Beachwood’s Child Support Enforcement Agency or the court that initially ordered the arrangement. The judge may follow the agency’s recommendations or work with both parents to determine the appropriate amount.
If you believe your child support order is due for modification or need guidance during the review process, you can trust your assigned Beachwood child support lawyer from Davis and Associates Attorneys at Law. They can assist you in applying for child support modification and provide the necessary documents for the court to consider. If the arrangement is already under review, they can guide you through the process and ensure that your child’s needs are met once it is modified.
Experienced Child Support Lawyers in Beachwood
At Davis and Associates Attorneys at Law, you don’t need to worry about navigating the complex legal process for your case or relying on basic strategies to resolve it. Every case is different, so there is no singular method or strategy to achieve a fair resolution. With this in mind, we review each case we handle and create appropriate legal strategies to meet each party’s needs.
We are prepared to represent either parent during discussions and provide a sample computation guide for child support cases. We can also help you negotiate the amount and request modifications or enforcement of the order whenever needed. Our team will be with you from start to finish, helping you avoid other legal pitfalls as the case is heard or enforced.
Schedule a Consultation
Don’t be afraid to seek legal support when your children’s futures are at stake. Our Beachwood, OH family law firm is always ready to take on your case and help you fight for a child support arrangement that will meet your child’s interests as they grow.
Contact us today to learn more about our services, and we’ll be ready to work with you on your case.
Call Davis and Associates Attorneys at Law at (216) 284-0714 for a Free Consultation with a Beachwood Child Support lawyer.