Skilled And Effective Advocacy In Child Support Cases
As parents, we know that child support is a crucial aspect of providing for our children. It can be challenging to determine, enforce and modify child support orders. These tasks require a clear understanding of the legal framework and a commitment to the best interests of the children involved.
At The Law Firm of Christopher T. Adams, P.C., we have been helping families navigate child support issues for over 30 years. Established in 1992, our family law firm is deeply rooted in the Northeast Georgia community. Our lawyer is a 7th-generation Georgian who understands the local community, courts and judges. Our goal is to educate our clients about all aspects of child support, empowering them to make informed decisions about their family’s future.
Whether you need help with child support as part of a divorce, separation or paternity proceedings, you can turn to our attorney for experienced and trusted guidance.
Understanding Georgia’s Child Support Guidelines
In Georgia, child support is determined based on specific guidelines that consider the child’s needs and the financial abilities of both parents. These guidelines help ensure that support orders are fair and adequate.
The guidelines are based on several case-specific factors, including:
- The income of both parents
- The number of dependent children
- The existing child custody arrangement
- Health insurance costs
- Child care expenses
- Any special needs of the child
Our child support lawyer can help you understand these guidelines and how they apply to your situation. He will work with you to present your case effectively, whether you’re seeking to establish, enforce or modify a support order.
Overcoming Challenges In Child Support Cases
Child support cases can present unique challenges, especially when dealing with complex financial situations. Self-employment and alleged underemployment are common issues that can complicate the calculation of support payments. Self-employed parents may have fluctuating incomes or nontraditional income sources, making it difficult to determine accurate support amounts. Alleged underemployment, where one parent is suspected of earning less than their potential, can also lead to disputes.
Our team understands these complexities and is here to help you navigate them. Our attorney has extensive experience representing clients in these situations. He will work diligently to gather and present the necessary financial documentation and legal arguments to support your position.
Child Support Modifications
Modifying child support orders is sometimes necessary to reflect significant changes in circumstances. Common situations that warrant modification include changes in income, job loss, remarriage or a significant shift in the child’s needs. To successfully modify a child support order, you must demonstrate a substantial change in circumstances since the original order was established.
Our team can guide you through the process of modifying a child support order. We understand the importance of ensuring that child support arrangements remain fair and adequate as circumstances evolve. Whether you are seeking an increase or decrease in support, we will work diligently to protect your rights and the best interests of your children.
Our attorney will help you gather the necessary evidence to support your request for modification. This might include financial records, employment documentation or medical reports that highlight changes in your child’s needs. He will also advocate on your behalf in court, presenting a compelling case for modification. If you are seeking to challenge the other parent’s request for a modification, he can help you with that, too.
Enforcing Child Support Orders
Unfortunately, not all parents fulfill their financial obligations with regard to their children. Enforcing child support orders in Georgia involves a series of steps. The Georgia Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) plays a crucial role in this process. When a parent fails to pay the mandated child support, DCSS can take various enforcement actions to secure compliance. These actions may include income withholding, where child support payments are directly deducted from the noncustodial parent’s wages. Additionally, DCSS can report delinquent parents to credit bureaus, impacting their credit scores.
For more severe cases, DCSS has the authority to suspend the noncompliant parent’s driver’s license and other professional licenses. Tax refund interception is another tool used to collect overdue support. If these measures are insufficient, the DCSS can take legal action, which might result in the noncustodial parent being held in contempt of court, leading to fines or even jail time.
Our attorney provides guidance on child support enforcement. If the other parent fails to meet their child support obligations, our team is here to help. We will stand by you and fight for the support your children deserve.
Get Help With Your Child Support Case
At The Law Firm of Christopher T. Adams, P.C., we are committed to guiding you through the complexities of child support, child custody and other aspects of family law that apply to your situation. Our knowledgeable team will stand by you throughout the legal process, providing the support and legal counsel you need to secure a stable future for your children.
Learn more about how we can help by calling 770-676-1083. You can also contact us online. We offer free consultations so you can get to know our attorney, ask questions and feel confident about moving forward.
