Guiding You Through Complex Legal Cases
If you and your co-parent are getting a divorce or are not married and separating, child support is an important issue. Child support payments are meant to be used for the basic needs and direct expenses for your children. Reaching an agreement about child support can be challenging, especially without an attorney on your side.
There may also come a time when you wish to modify existing child support payments. Circumstances change over time, and there are many factors that can necessitate a change. Child support issues like these require legal representation, as they can be confusing and hard to navigate on your own.
At Fisher Law, we focus solely on family law cases and are knowledgeable on child support matters in both Missouri and Kansas. We know how important child support is for you and your family, and we are committed to seeing you through the child support process. For more information and to speak to a member of our team, please call 816-307-9752 today.
How Does Child Support Work?
Child support is an arrangement made by the parents and ordered by the court, or based on a child support worksheet. The parent, who has more time with the child, is often the parent who receives child support. In cases where the parents share time equally, there are a number of factors that can go into which parent receives child support. In general, there is a child support worksheet that determines the amount of child support that should be paid. Our team can help you examine different child support options to choose the best one that works for you and your child.
How is Child Support Determined in Missouri?
When you and your spouse file for divorce or are no longer in a relationship together, you may create a child custody arrangement. Once the arrangement has been agreed upon, a judge will determine who is to pay child support and how much they will pay.
A child support worksheet will be run and the parties can agree to use that worksheet, or if the parties cannot agree, the Judge will decide the support amount. Some of the variables involved include:
- The income of the parents
- Child care expenses
- Health insurance premiums
- Parenting time for each parent
Job loss, relocation, and other factors can also determine the payment amount. The court always attempts to do what’s best for the children involved. Child support arrangements must be approved by the court for them to be legally valid.
Can Child Support Be Modified?
Although your child support arrangement may have worked at first, circumstances can change. If you would like to modify your child support payments, you must again petition the court and make a compelling argument for the change.
Child support is always modifiable. If you want to modify your child support, you should file a Motion to Modify Child Support, citing that a change in circumstances has occurred.
If your circumstances have changed, the court may modify your payment arrangement. Having a child support attorney on your side makes this much more likely, as we can present your evidence before a judge on your behalf.
What Can a Child Support Attorney Help With?
Making child support arrangements isn’t always easy, especially if you and your co-parent disagree on parenting time or visitation rights. Similarly, modifying child support can be difficult, especially without an attorney.
As your legal team, we will be your legal advocate for all your child support needs. From protecting your best interests to informing you of your rights, we are here to create a child support order that works for you and your family.
Should You Contact Our Attorneys?
Child support orders are meant to benefit your children. Unfortunately, child support cases aren’t always straightforward. If you are seeking child support or looking to modify child support, working with a lawyer on our team is in your best interest.
Fisher Law has been serving Kansas City clients for over 10 years. We can help you with any child support matter to get you a positive outcome. To learn more information about our services and how we can help you, please contact us today by calling 816-307-9752 for a consultation about your case.
