Pennsylvania: Child Support lawyers

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:

• Income of Both Parents
• Child Custody Arrangements
• Number of Children
• Child’s Expenses
• Standard of Living
• Special Needs or Extraordinary Expenses
• State Guidelines

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:

• Basic Necessities
• Housing Costs
• Educational Expenses
• Childcare and Babysitting
• Healthcare Costs
• Extracurricular Activities
• Transportation Expenses
• Special Needs of Disability Expenses
• Entertainment and Recreation
• College or Higher Education Costs

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:

• Change in Income
• Change in Custody or Visitation
• Change in Expenses or Financial Needs
• Healthcare Changes
• Relocation
• Loss of Benefits or Tax Credits
• Legal Changes

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:

• Legal Enforcement Actions
• Wage Garnishment
• Seizure of Assets
• Leins on Property
• Driver’s License Suspension
• Professional or Occupational License Suspension
• Passport Denial or Revocation
• Contempt of Court
• Modification of Support Order
• Criminal Charges

It can be tough to know exactly what questions to ask an attorney about your child support situation. Here are some of the questions that you might want to ask a lawyer during your initial consultation:

• How does a change in a parent's income affect child support?
• What options are available for child support enforcement?
• How difficult is it to change the child support amount or obtain a child support modification?
• How does custodial parent vs. non-custodial parent status affect support payments?
• Does alimony change the amount of child support I receive or pay?
• How can I be sure that child support payments cover daycare (or other childcare options), health insurance and health care costs, special needs care and all of the other needs of the children?

Whether you need help enforcing a court order, changing the amount of child support you receive or pay, or have other child support needs, picking the right attorney can make a world of difference.

How Do I Choose A Child Support Attorney?

Consider the following when determining which law firm you want to work on your child support case:

Comfort Level - Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information? Does the lawyer seem interested in solving your child support or child custody problem?

Credentials - How long has the lawyer been in practice? Is the lawyer familiar with child support guidelines in your state? Has the lawyer worked on other child support cases similar to yours?

Cost - How are the lawyer's fees structured - hourly or flat fee? Can the lawyer estimate the cost of your case?

City - Is their law office conveniently located near you?

Use FindLaw to hire a local child support lawyer near you to set child support obligations, enforce child support orders, and resolve other child support issues.