West Palm Beach Child Support Lawyer

West Palm Beach Child Support Attorney

Whether you believe you are going to be the paying parent or the receiving parent, child support is an important concern if you have just separated from a co-parent. Regardless of which parent you are, child support cases can become legally complex and emotionally challenging. A West Palm Beach child support lawyer can help you establish fair child support payments to ensure your child is financially supported.

Child support and other related family law issues, like divorce and child custody, can be difficult to handle. There are often fears about how your children will adjust to this new life, as well as concerns about whether you believe your co-parent will fight for an appropriate child support amount.

When these complicated situations arise, a compassionate and knowledgeable legal team can make all the difference in reaching a positive outcome for your case. The Law Office of Rosalie M. Cruz is passionate about resolving your family law issues. With results-driven legal counsel as one of our top priorities, our team is ready to help you navigate the complexities of family law.

West Palm Beach Child Support

Your child will be in a single-adult home, which may drastically change their living standards. To bridge the gap between the differences in incomes and lifestyle from a two-adult home and their current one-adult home, West Palm Beach implements child support. Child support can be used to cover a variety of expenses, including:

• Housing and utilities
• Food, such as school meals, and clothing
• Extracurricular activities
• Medical expenses

When making an initial child support determination or modifying an existing order, the judge will follow Florida’s child support standards defined in Florida Statute §61.30. These guidelines will consider:

• The total income of both parents
• The child’s childcare and healthcare costs
• The standard needs of the child, determined by the child’s age and their parents’ net income

There are special circumstances that can necessitate a child support amount higher or lower than the guideline amounts. If this occurs, the judge should give written reasons for the deviation from the guideline amounts.

Income Considered for Child Support

According to Florida Statutes §61.30, there are several different types of income that are factored into your total income for child support. Examples of some relevant income include:

• Salary
• Commissions, bonuses, tips, and overtime
• Disability payments
• Workers’ compensation benefits and settlements
• Pension, retirement, and annuity payments
• Rental income
• Income from trusts, estates, or royalties

Ultimately, your salary may only be a part of the income used to calculate your child support obligation. An experienced child support lawyer can comb through your financials and help you determine the amount of your income that can be subject to child support determination calculations.

Modifying Child Support

It is possible to request a modification of child support. Either parent may request a change, but they must be able to prove a substantial change in circumstances. A modification can be approved if the change in payment amount is 15% or $50, whichever is greater. Reasons to request a child support modification include:

• Changes in parenting time
• Job loss or fewer hours
• Income reduction or increase
• A change in the child’s needs
• A parent or child develops a disability

It is crucial that you promptly file for a child support modification request if your financial circumstances have changed and you can no longer make payments. Once the Florida Department of Revenue becomes involved in your case due to nonpayment, the modification process is more complex. Speaking with a knowledgeable child support lawyer can make all the difference in the outcome of your modification request.

FAQs

Q: What Happens if I Stop Making Child Support Payments?

A: There are several consequences to stopping child support payments. One potential consequence is the suspension of your driver’s license. Once you receive a notice to suspend your driver’s license, you only have 20 days to take action. A failure to take appropriate action can result in a license suspension issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Q: How Much Does a Child Support Lawyer Cost?

A: The total cost of working with a child support lawyer will depend on several factors. Most family law attorneys charge by the hour, so their hourly rate will impact the total amount you can expect to pay. If your case is complicated and contested by the other parent, the attorney will need to dedicate more time to your case. You can explore how much your case could cost to resolve by scheduling a consultation with a family law attorney.

Q: Can I Lose My Job if I Do Not Pay Child Support?

A: You can lose your job if you do not pay child support. Though you will not automatically be fired, your professional or business license can be suspended. You typically have 30 days from the date of notice to remedy the situation by paying the past due amount, entering into a payment agreement, providing appropriate documentation, or contesting the suspension in circuit court. If one of these actions is not taken, the relevant state licensing agency will be notified to suspend the license.

Q: Can a Parent Who Is Unemployed Be Required to Pay Child Support?

A: A parent who is unemployed may still be required to pay child support. Factors such as employment skills, employment history, and the wages or potential wages of a parent could be considered by the judge. The parent requesting the imputation of income must be able to prove that the other parent is unemployed voluntarily. An experienced child support attorney may be able to help.

West Palm Beach Child Support Lawyer

Dealing with a child support case while also handling everything else at the end of a relationship can be difficult. The Law Office of Rosalie M. Cruz, P.A., provides results-driven legal counsel, allowing you to focus on other areas of your life. We proudly represent parents in West Palm Beach and the surrounding areas.

Whether you are the parent requesting child support or the parent expecting to pay child support, reach out to our office today to see how we can help you through this complex process.