Child Support Attorney
If children are involved in a divorce or separation, custody and child support are some of the most sensitive issues to be resolved. Child support can make a tremendous difference in quality of life for both child and parent after a divorce or separation, but the amount of support is often hotly contested. At the office of Joyce A. Julian, P.A., our child support attorneys work with you to create a child support strategy that will work for you and your family, and to enforce or modify the child support order if necessary.
State Guidelines
To ensure fairness in creating child support plans, Florida judges must make child support determinations based on certain statutory guidelines. The court will consider factors such as:
- Each parent’s income;
- The costs of the child’s health care and daycare;
- The amount of time the child spends living with each parent; and
- The number of children.
Despite the existence of statutory guidelines, however, disputes over the amount of child support are common. Beyond the uncertainty of expenses and standards of living, some parents may be voluntarily underemployed or unemployment, some children may have special needs that require more support than the statutory calculations would indicate, or other unique circumstances may exist. Our attorneys will work with you to create a support plan that ensures financial stability for your child.
Enforcement of Child Support Orders
For various reasons, whether because of the loss of a job, unexpected expenses, or mere carelessness, the parent obligated to pay child support sometimes fails to do so, or is accused of not paying. If a parent becomes delinquent in paying child support, Florida courts have several enforcement methods. They may:
- Garnish wages;
- Suspend a driver’s, professional, or other license;
- Withhold income tax exemptions; or
- Find the parent in civil or criminal contempt of court, which can result in fines or even jail time.
If you aren’t getting paid, or if you have been falsely accused of not paying, or if your circumstances are such that you can no longer make full payments, we can help.
Modifications and Termination
Sometimes, circumstances change, and parents can no longer meet child support obligations, or incomes increase. This may mean that the existing child support order needs to be modified. Modifying a child support order in Florida requires proving that there has been a substantial change in circumstances, which is not an easy standard to meet.
Child support orders generally end when the child turns eighteen or graduates from high school. If a child is disabled, however, the payor parent may have a child support obligation lasting past that time. Additionally, if the payor parent can prove that he is not the biological father of the child, the court will terminate the child support order. If you believe that your situation warrants a modification or termination of a child support order, our attorneys can help you through that process.
Work with Joyce A. Julian, P.A., for Your Child Support Matter
If you need to create a child support plan or are dealing with a support dispute, an experienced attorney can help you work toward a plan that is best for your children and family. Please contact an experienced and dedicated child support attorney at the office of Joyce A. Julian, P.A., for a free initial consultation.