Santa Ana Child Support Lawyer

Santa Ana Child Support Attorneys

If you are facing a divorce or legal separation in California and there are minor children involved, one of the big topics you, as well as your soon-to-be ex-spouse, will need to come to an agreement on is child support. At Minyard Morris, our team of Santa Ana child support lawyers are experienced in working to assist parents in determining the amount of financial support needed to raise children and are prepared to advocate for your side of the story.

At Minyard Morris, our family lawyers understand the difficult time you are facing and have a firm knowledge of California’s child support laws and how they might impact your unique situation. Parents have an obligation to support their children in a way that suits their children’s needs, and regardless of whether you are looking to gain this support, modify a child support order that already exists, or defend against child support obligations, we are ready to assist you.

Trust the team at Minyard Morris to protect your rights and offer fierce representation for you, no matter what issue of California child support you might be facing.

How Is Child Support Determined in Santa Ana, California?

The family courts of California follow strict guidelines when assigning child support amounts to divorced or legally separated parents. However, there are certain circumstances that may allow the courts to stray from these guidelines, as in cases when the child involved has special needs or one of the parents has special circumstances that might call for a different support arrangement.

In most situations, however, the courts will calculate a fair amount of child support to be awarded to the custodial parent based on the following factors:

• The income of both parents.
• The amount of time the child in question spends at each of their parent’s homes.
• The tax filing status of the parents individually.
• The number of children involved in the child support situation.
• The health insurance premiums paid by the individual parent.
• If there are any existing, court-ordered child support payments being made for the benefit of children from other relationships.

In addition to the basic amount of support the custodial parent may be entitled to, there are certain add-ons that may be required in special child support calculations. These are made for the benefit of the children and are typically shared by the parents in an equal manner until otherwise ordered by the courts. These add-ons can include:

• Any child care costs that may be necessary due to employment, education, or training for employable skills.
• Any reasonable and uninsured health care expenses related to the children.

When the issue of child support causes conflict between the parents, a judge may issue a temporary child support order so that the custodial parent can begin receiving the necessary financial support to raise the children. Should the parents work out their differences and resume living together, this order can run its course.

However, this is rarely the case, and instead, the judge may order an expedited order while the case is being reviewed and a necessary hearing is still pending. Whatever your child support case may entail, Minyard Morris understands that these are difficult times, and your rights deserve to be protected. We can work with you to review your case and advocate for your side of the situation with both aggression and compassion.

Minyard Morris: Assisting You Through Child Support Cases

California follows extremely specific guidelines when it comes to child support, and understanding these guidelines can be confusing. This is why it is so vital that you have an attorney on your side who has a firm knowledge regarding these legal situations. At Minyard Morris (formed over 48 years ago), our team of 20 family lawyers has over 350 years of collective experience between them and is prepared to put that experience to use in protecting your parental rights.

Whether your child support case exists by itself or is part of a larger family law proceeding such as a divorce or modification case, the team at Minyard Morris can assist you in the following ways:

• Educating you on your parental rights and as a receiver or payor of child support.
• Identifying any potential exemptions or add-ons for child care or the special needs of you or your child.
• Ensuring you understand how and when child support enforcement works, as well as when modifications may be available.
• Making assessments of your current child support orders and seeing if there is any room for potential modification or further clarity.
• Negotiating a fair child support agreement.
• Litigating your position on child support in court.

FAQs

Q: What Are Common Reasons to Seek Child Support Modification?

A: After a final court order is made regarding child support, opportunities may still arise for you to seek modification to this order. However, these modifications can only be pursued under certain circumstances. These circumstances include job loss, illness, injury, or illness that either affects your ability to pay as the payor or causes you to become in need of more support as the receiver.

Q: What Happens if I Don’t Pay Child Support?

A: If you are ordered by the courts to pay child support and you do not obey said order, this can lead to costly financial and legal issues. Your tax returns or paychecks could become garnished or intercepted in order for the support to be paid, and the courts may find you in contempt of court, which could potentially result in jail time.

Q: Can Visitation Rights Be Withheld if Child Support Is Missed?

A: In California, some parents may be tempted to withhold visitation rights from the non-custodial parent if that parent is not paying necessary child support. However, this is actually seen as acting in contempt of court, similar to how the paying parent is in contempt of court when not paying child support. It is better to seek the assistance of an attorney in these situations.

Q: How Much Can a Child Support Lawyer Charge?

A: It is hard to offer a definite amount when it comes to how much a child support lawyer will charge because there are several factors that will impact the final fees of an attorney, including the complications and length of your child support fight and the experience of your attorney.

Speak to an Aggressive Family Advocate Today

If you are facing a divorce, legal separation, or court-order modification, and the topic of child support is a factor, the team at Minyard Morris is here to advocate for your rights. You deserve fair treatment, no matter your position as the payment receiver or grantor, and we are ready to help ensure you get it. Contact our offices today to learn more.