Kissimmee Child Support Lawyer
Child support is often a contentious issue because not many parents want to pay it. There are already plenty of bills to deal with, after all. However, Florida law states that both parents are obligated to financially support their child until they turn 18 or graduate from high school, whichever happens later.
Child support is paid by the non-custodial parent and given to the custodial parent to pay for the child’s expenses, such as food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and education. However, not all parents dutifully pay their child support obligation. They may not be able to afford it or may avoid it for other reasons.
That’s when you need legal help on your side. The team at Anderson & Ferrin Attorneys at Law, P.A. understand the various issues that can arise. Contact our experienced Kissimmee child support lawyers for help with your case.
When You Can’t Afford to Pay
Many parents don’t pay their child support obligations on time because they simply cannot afford to do so. When you cannot afford to pay child support, you cannot simply ignore your obligation. Paying child support is a court order and when you fail to do so, you are pretty much in contempt of court. This means you could be subject to various penalties, including fines, driver’s license suspension, professional license suspension, and even jail time.
When you cannot afford to pay child support, your first step should be to contact a lawyer. A family law lawyer can help you get a child support modification. A modification allows you to pay a lower amount or possibly even none at all. However, you need to qualify for a modification. Some qualifying life events include a reduction in pay, job loss, disability, or retirement.
Why Contact a Child Support Lawyer
Florida uses a formula to determine child support amounts, but sometimes this amount may be too much for the paying parent or it may not be enough for the custodial parent, especially if there are special circumstances involved. For example, a child may have extraordinary medical or educational needs, requiring more support money from the other parent. The courts try to ensure that the child enjoys the same standard of living they had when their parents were married.
Because of all the expenses involved in raising a child, even a custodial parent can request a modification. If they are aware that the other parent has received a significant raise or gotten a higher-paying job, they can ask that the child support be reassessed. Contact an experienced Kissimmee child support lawyer from Anderson & Ferrin Attorneys at Law, P.A. to learn more.
Contact Anderson & Ferrin Attorneys at Law, P.A. Today
Child support is helpful to the custodial parent, but there may be situations in which the non-custodial parent may not be able to afford it. That’s when having the right legal help on your side can be a good thing.
The team at Anderson & Ferrin Attorneys at Law, P.A. can help you handle child support issues and work toward modifications and other solutions. Schedule a consultation with our experienced Kissimmee child support lawyers by filling out the online form or calling 407-412-7041.
