Do you need help with a child support case in Pasadena, California? The Graves Law Firm is here for you. Contact us today at (626) 365-1037 to schedule a consultation with a Pasadena child support lawyer. We will be right by your side every step of the way and fight diligently to help you get the best possible outcome.
Going through a divorce or separation when children are involved can be one of the most difficult and emotional times of your life. Child custody and support must be determined, whether you go through an uncontested divorce or a contested divorce. Do not hesitate to ask for help from an experienced attorney.
How The Graves Law Firm Can Help With a Child Support Case in Pasadena, CA
Like any family law matter, child support issues can get extremely emotional. These types of issues can sometimes bring out the worst in your ex-spouse or partner, but we are here to help protect you and your child.
Whether you need to get a new child support agreement in place or modify an existing order, The Graves Law Firm can assist. With more than 20 years of experience helping families through these difficult times, we can help you achieve the outcome you desire so that you can move on with your life.
Getting the proper child support payments in place can provide your children with the lifestyle they deserve. It can also help take some financial stress off your plate.
Some of the ways we can assist with child support matters in Pasadena, CA, include:
- Thoroughly examine financial records to ensure child support obligations are calculated correctly
- Help you establish an initial child support order so that you begin getting payments
- Fight for the modification of an existing child support order if your circumstances have changed
- Help you get paid for past child support payments that have not been made
- Argue your case to a judge if you need to deviate from the child support guidelines
Regardless of whether you are paying or receiving child support, we can ensure that your rights are protected. Contact The Graves Law Firm today to speak to a Pasadena family lawyer who can help.
Overview of Child Support in California
California law requires that both parents must support their children. This means that each parent must contribute financially to the child’s well-being and living expenses. The courts in California allow parents to decide on their own how those expenses will be split. In many cases, parents can come to an agreement that works for them both.
However, if the parents cannot agree on financial responsibilities, then the court will decide for them. The court will determine the proper amount of child support and issue an order to that effect. In many situations, child support payments are automatically deducted from one parent’s paycheck.
In most cases, the parent with primary physical custody of the child is the one who receives child support payments. This can differ sometimes depending on the financial status of each parent.
Who Is Ordered to Pay Child Support in California?
Typically, the non-custodial parent is ordered to pay child support in California. This means that the parent who primarily cares for the child will receive the payments. This usually makes sense for a few reasons.
Since the child spends most of their time with the custodial parent, that parent is likely to spend more money on the child. Food, clothing, and other living expenses are likely paid primarily by the custodial parent. To share equally in these expenses, the non-custodial parent must make child support payments.
There are some situations in which this arrangement could be different. Typically, that happens when the parent with primary custody has a significantly higher income than the non-custodial parent.
At The Graves Law Firm, our experienced team can also help you ensure that proper child support orders are in place so that you are properly sharing financial responsibilities with your child’s other parent.
How Much Child Support Will I Get?
The amount of child support that you receive can vary based on several factors. Parents are not always required to split the child’s living expenses equally. This is especially true when one parent makes significantly more money than the other.
Some of the most common factors that California courts consider when calculating child support payments are:
- The income of both parents
- How each parent files taxes
- The amount of time the child spends with each parent
- How many children are in the household
- Each parent’s earning capacity
- Other factors the court considers relevant
Typically, courts do not deviate from the calculation provided by the guidelines. California even provides an online Child Support Calculator that allows you to calculate how much child support you may expect. In some cases, though, a deviation from the calculation may be required. The court may hear testimony and other evidence to determine why a deviation from the guidelines is required.
Can I Change My Child Support Payment?
Yes, you can get child support payments modified. Child support modification is fairly common, and you should not expect child support payments to remain the same forever. There are several ways to get a child support order modified.
The easiest way to modify a child support order is to get both parents to agree on the modification. When both parents agree to the change, you can submit a written agreement to the court. The judge will sign the agreement, and the new child support payments will go into effect.
If one parent does not agree to the change, you will need to file a petition for modification with the court. The judge will allow both parties an opportunity to present their arguments. Generally, there must be some material change in circumstances for the judge to grant the request.
Some examples of situations that can result in a change to child support payments are:
- You are now making significantly less money
- The child’s other parent is now making significantly more money
- You are now spending more time with your child
Consider an example where a change to an existing agreement is likely to be approved. Imagine that you earn $50,000 per year and your ex-spouse earns $100,000. Your ex-spouse currently pays you child support because you have primary custody of your child.
Your ex-spouse changes jobs and gets a significant raise in pay. They now make $175,000 per year. In this situation, you could petition the court for an increase in child support payments, and there is a good chance that your request would be approved.
If you have experienced a significant change in your situation, do not wait to request a change. By law, the judge can only make changes retroactive to the day you filed the request for a change. If you wait several weeks or months to file your request, you could be losing out on a lot of child support.
The Graves Law Firm is here to help you with all your child support modification needs. If your situation changes, contact us right away. Waiting could cause you to lose money to which you were legally entitled.
When Does Child Support End?
Many parents, especially those paying child support, wonder when the payments end. In most cases, child support ends when the child turns 18. However, payments may continue until the child turns 19 if they are still in high school.
Some other situations can put a stop to child support payments as well, including if the child:
- Marries
- Becomes emancipated
- Joins the military
- Enters a domestic partnership
- Dies
In the case of a disabled child, support payments may continue beyond the child’s 18th (or 19th) birthday. If the disabled child cannot support themselves, payments may continue indefinitely. Additionally, the parents may agree to continue support payments for a disabled child.
If you have questions about when your child support payments will end, contact The Graves Law Firm today to let us help you get them answered.
Contact a Pasadena Child Support Lawyer Today
If you are facing child support issues, contact our experienced team in Pasadena, California, today. We have been helping clients through all their family law matters for more than 20 years, and we are ready to help you, too. Contact The Graves Law Firm now to speak to a Pasadena child support attorney.
