Norwell Child Support Lawyer

Norwell Child Support Attorney

In the state of Massachusetts, a child has the right to be financially provided for and cared for by both of their parents. One parent should not be the sole financial provider for their child and should be able to share this burden with their co-parent even if they are no longer or never were married. In a divorce case, child support can be one of the most highly-contested topics, and having a Norwell child support lawyer on your side can prove paramount to your case outcome.

Child support is designed to suit the best interest of the child and ensure that their physical needs are met. While the intentions behind a child support case can be good and in the interests of the child, there are several areas where conflict can arise between the co-parents, and court litigation becomes necessary. In some divorce cases, the co-parents may be able to come to an agreement regarding child support on their own. If not, a judge will make this decision for them.

If you are facing a case of child support in Norwell, Massachusetts, the legal team at Farias Family Law, P.C. is here to assist you. At our firm, family is our middle name for a reason: we are prepared to fight for the needs of you and your loved ones, including any minor children. You can trust us to keep your interests and the interests of your child at the forefront of our minds.

Child Support in Norwell, Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, child support requires the non-custodial parent, or the parent with a lesser form of custody, to make financial contributions to the raising of their child. Typically, child support consists of regular payments from the non-custodial parent to the parent awarded main physical custody of the child. The amount involved in child custody cases can be determined by the parents. However, if they cannot reach an agreement, the courts will make a decision.

When a child support order goes before a judge, they will use a formula to calculate the fair amount of child support they believe should be required of the non-custodial parent. This formula includes several factors that may or may not apply to your case. Using these factors, the judge will make a child support determination. These factors can include the following:

• Parental Income: The main factor taken into consideration during a child support determination is that of the parent’s separate incomes. This can include things such as salaries, wages, prizes, social security, and trusts.
• Number of Children Involved: In cases where there are more children shared between the couple, the larger the amount of support that may be required of the non-custodial parent to pay.
• Costs of Child Care: If there are child care costs necessary to raising the child, such as daycare, this will influence the amount of child support that must be paid.
• Ages of the Children: As children age, their needs can grow and change. Typically, older children are more expensive than younger children, and the amount of child support that must be paid will reflect this.
• Health Insurance and Medical Expenses: Both parents may be required to cover the medical costs and health insurance coverage of their shared children in a child support case.
• Other Support Orders: If the paying parent has past court orders regarding child support, they may be able to receive a deduction.
• Income Attribution: If the parent required to pay child support is not making a fair effort to seek employment and income, the judge may consider their potential earning ability rather than a salary.

Farias Family Law, P.C.: Assisting You in a Child Support Case

Whether facing a divorce, legal separation, or issue regarding the paternity of a child, the legal team at Farias Family Law, P.C. is here for you in a child support case. For years, we have been assisting clients in the state of Massachusetts through a wide range of family law issues and are ready to put our experience and resources toward the task of your child support case. We can guide you through a variety of child-support-related legal situations, including:

• Calculating support amounts for high-income earning individuals, such as business owners, corporate executives, and medical care professionals
• Identifying and uncovering any hidden income sources
• Determining and presenting evidence of income for child support amount purposes
• Pursuing modifications for current child support orders

FAQs

Q: How Do You Defend Against a Request for Child Support in Massachusetts?

A: In Massachusetts, you have the ability to challenge a request for child support in a number of different ways, including demonstrating that the child actually lives with you and the other parent actually owes you child support or by presenting evidence to show that the requesting parent is providing the courts with false information.

Q: How Much Does a Child Support Lawyer Cost in Massachusetts?

A: It can be a challenge to offer an actual amount as to how much a child support lawyer might charge for their services in the state of Massachusetts as each lawyer is different, and so is the way in which they structure their fees. Some attorneys might charge for their services on a contingency basis, while others may charge hourly.

Q: How Can I Get Out of Paying Child Support in Massachusetts?

A: There are only a few available ways of getting out of paying child support in the state of Massachusetts. These can include having the other parent agree that child support is not necessary and getting the court’s approval should a case be filed, cases wherein the child becomes emancipated, or in situations where someone else adopts your child.

Q: Can Child Support Orders Be Modified in Massachusetts?

A: Yes, you could seek modifications to a child support order in Massachusetts under certain life changes or other circumstances. For example, if you, as the paying parent, suffer an injury or illness that causes you to become unable to work, you could seek a decrease in the amount of child support you pay.

Enlist Legal Help in a Massachusetts Child Support Case

If you need legal guidance and representation in Massachusetts regarding the issue of child support, the legal team at Farias Family Law, P.C. is here to serve you. Contact our offices today and schedule an initial case assessment to see how we might help you at this time.