Select a city or county to find Pennsylvania Child Support lawyers near you.
Child support is calculated based on a formula established by the jurisdiction’s family law statutes. The method for calculating child support can vary across jurisdictions, as laws can vary significantly. Many jurisdictions provide online calculators or worksheets to help parents estimate child support amounts. Generally, child support is calculated by considering:
Child support orders are typically tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of the child and financial capabilities of the parents. Expenses cover a wide range of areas associated with raising a child. Common categories of expenses that child support may cover include:
Yes, child support orders can be modified. The ability to modify the order depends on the laws of the jurisdiction and specific circumstances of the parent and child. Common reasons for seeking a child support modification include:
Failure to make child support payments can result in legal consequences and specific actions taken depend on the laws of the jurisdiction where the child support order was issued. Common consequences for non-payment of child support may include:
Because laws vary across jurisdictions, it's important to learn about the law to protect your rights and explore your legal options.
Articles -
Child Support Basics - FindLaw
Child Support Guidelines - FindLaw
Child Support Modification - FindLaw
Blogs -
FindLaw Legal Blogs are here to be your one-stop shop for legal news and information, presented in an easy-to-understand way.
We offer a wide range of blogs written by legal professionals, covering:
• Legally Weird: Read about strange lawsuits, dumb crimes, celebs getting into trouble, and anything else we find offbeat.
• Everyday legal issues: Get insights on family law, real estate, employment law, immigration, and more.
• Stay informed: Our "Law and Daily Life" blog keeps you up-to-date on the latest legal news and trends.
• Deeper dives: Explore specific areas like criminal defense, small business law, personal injury, estate planning, and consumer protection.
If you are a parent who needs help getting child support payments, modifying an existing child support order, or collecting unpaid back child support, a child support lawyer can help.
There are a variety of reasons you might need to find a lawyer in Pennsylvania, from facing criminal charges to filing a lawsuit or even just buying a house.
If you are facing criminal charges, it is extremely important to be represented by skilled legal counsel. Not only can retaining an experienced criminal defense attorney increase your chances of a favorable outcome if your case does go to trial (improving your odds of attaining an acquittal), but also if you opt to negotiate a plea deal or to plead guilty, a lawyer can ensure you are treated fairly within the boundaries of the law.
On the other hand, if you are looking to file a legal claim of any sort, it is equally advisable to find a Pennsylvania lawyer familiar with your type of legal matter. Attorneys have spent years (if not decades) of their lives in pursuit of the knowledge and skills necessary to best represent their clients in court proceedings. Legal jargon, obscure precedent, existing and newly passed statutes and other elements of the legal process demand that a professional lawyer is always capable of seeking the best possible outcome.
While representing yourself in court can sound like a good idea on the surface, particularly given the relative cost of retaining legal counsel, it is almost universally considered to be a poor idea. No amount of quick research can act as a substitute for the skills and experience that lawyers attain through working several years in the court system.
Finding the right Child Support attorney starts with knowing what to evaluate. When reviewing Pennsylvania attorney profiles, consider the following:
Make informed decisions with useful legal information.
Learn About the Law articles clearly explain what you need to know about a wide variety of legal issues. You'll also find answers to common legal questions and case summaries to explore.
Read about choosing and retaining legal help with FindLaw's Guide to Hiring a Lawyer.
Our Guide to the U.S. Legal System explains legal basics including federal and state court systems.