Pennsylvania Child Support
Media, Pennsylvania Child Support Lawyer Serving Delaware County, Philadelphia County, and Chester County
Child support payments are crucial to ensure a child’s basic needs are met when parents are divorced or no longer live together. However, when parents cannot agree on the amount, these issues can quickly become complicated. At Berman & Associates, we know how stressful child support matters can be — and how overwhelming it is to navigate the legal system. As we work to take the burden off your shoulders, we place the highest priority on protecting your rights and ensuring the best interests of your child are met.
Skillful Representation for Pennsylvania Child Support Matters
Both parents are legally required to financially support their child, regardless of marital status. Typically, which parent is obligated to pay child support is determined by the custody plan in place. Payments are usually made by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent. When parents have equal custody time, the higher earner will have the payment obligation.
Specifically, Pennsylvania child support is calculated using the “income shares” model. Although parents can agree to a specific amount, a judge will consider certain factors if a settlement cannot be reached. When determining child support payments, courts take the combined monthly net income of both parents into account, along with the following factors:
- Each parent’s income and income capacity
- The amount of money each parent spends on childcare
- How many children you claim as dependents on your taxes
- Health insurance and other medical expenses for your children
- The amount of custodial time with each parent
- Whether or not private schooling is reasonable and allocation of that expense
- Whether or not extracurricular activities are reasonable and allocation of that expense
Child support payments must be made until the child turns 18 or graduates high school — whichever event occurs later. But in some cases, child support can be extended. For example, if the child is attending college or has special needs, the non-custodial parent may be obligated to make payments for a longer duration.
Every family’s circumstances are unique and every child support case is different. Our Pennsylvania child support lawyers will work closely with you and ensure you receive fair treatment when going through the legal process. Whether you are the parent receiving or paying child support, at Berman & Associates, we will vigorously advocate on your behalf to ensure the appropriate amount is ordered in accordance with the state guidelines.
Diligent Counsel for Child Support Modifications and Enforcement Matters
Once it has been ordered by the court, child support isn’t always set in stone. The law recognizes that financial and family circumstances can change over time. If a parent is having difficulty making child support payments because their income involuntarily decreased, or either parent’s income significantly increased, a modification may be warranted. However, it’s important to understand that neither parent can stop making payments or make changes to an existing child support order without consent of the other or the court’s permission.
Other valid reasons for a child support modification can include a change in the child’s expenses due to an unforeseeable medical condition. In addition, changes made to other forms of support, such as alimony, may affect a parent’s income and be reason to modify a child support order. A court might also grant a modification if the child’s needs have changed as they grew older, or the parents have reconciled and are living together again.
When a child support order has been issued by a judge, both parties must follow it. If the non-custodial parent stops making payments, the parent entitled to receive support may take legal action to enforce the order by filing a motion in court or requesting assistance through the Pennsylvania Bureau of Child Support Enforcement. If you are facing an enforcement issue, a skillful child support lawyer can advise you regarding your options and remedies.
At Berman & Associates, our child support attorney team works with clients regarding a wide variety of child support issues, including modifications and enforcement matters. We will carefully evaluate your case to determine the best course of action to proceed forward. In some situations, child support issues can be worked out between the parties through negotiations or mediation, and court intervention might not be necessary — other cases may be contentious and require a judge to decide the outcome. No matter how complex your case is, we have the experience and knowledge necessary to help you reach a favorable resolution.
Contact an Experienced Pennsylvania Attorney
If you are facing a child support issue, it’s essential to have the representation of a reliable and compassionate family law attorney. Our Media, Pennsylvania child support lawyer Bernard Berman and his team are committed to serving the legal needs of families throughout Delaware County, Philadelphia County, and Chester County. We welcome you to contact us to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced attorney about your child support matter.
