Williamsburg Child Support
Whether you are a custodial or non-custodial parent, you need to work with an attorney to ensure the court creates a fair child support obligation. The Williamsburg child support attorneys at Simms Showers LLP have assisted countless parents in their pursuit for fair child support and will be with you every step of the way.
How Child Support is Calculated in Virginia
Courts use a simple support guideline to determine the child support obligation. The number of children the support is for, as well as both parent’s gross income, is used to calculate the support order. The non-custodial parent will be responsible for a certain percentage, based on each spouse’s monthly income.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support
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The non-custodial parent is lying about how much they make. What can I do? You have the option to petition the court for the parent’s tax return or bank statements. If it turns out they were being untruthful, the child support order will be changed to reflect their accurate income, going back in time to match their accurate income level. Lying about income is a criminal penalty, and they may face additional fines and penalties.
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What if I can’t afford to pay child support? If the child support order created by the court is too great for you to pay, you need to petition the court to lower the amount, and in the meantime do everything that you can to continue paying on time. Non-custodial parents are legally obligated to pay the full amount of child support, regardless of circumstances, until a new order is created.
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The custodial parent makes more than me. Do I still have to pay child support? Most likely, yes. Both parent’s income are taken into account when determining child support, and even if the custodial parent makes significantly more than you, you will still likely owe some amount of child support.
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As a non-custodial parent, I also pay for my child’s clothing, food, and healthcare. Does this count for anything? It depends. Healthcare, dental, and vision expenses can be included to calculate the child support obligation, according to Section E of § 20-108.2. Other items, like clothing or toys, fall outside the child support order.
Enforcement
Research suggests that consistent child support payment, along with regular visitation from the non-custodial parent, has a positive effect on children’s behavioral health. Whether the payments are formal or informal, inconsistent payments are more likely to harm a child. Sadly, less than half of custodial parents receive regular child support payments. We can help you locate a parent who has ‘gone off the grid,’ and work with state and federal agencies to ensure that payments resume.
Call a Williamsburg Child Support Attorney Today
Child support goes a long way in creating a stable, healthy space for children to grow up in. However, this should not come at the expense of the non-custodial parent’s financial ruin. Whether you are the custodial or non-custodial parent, we can help. Call the Williamsburg child support attorneys at Simms Showers LLP today at 703-879-1364 to schedule a consultation.
