Child Support
Our Birmingham child support lawyer at Ingram Law, LLC can help you seek and enforce child support. Contact us today to request our high-quality legal services.
Birmingham Child Support Lawyer
Family Law Services in Jefferson County
When a child is born, both the mother and father are legally responsible for the child’s care. This is often enforced through child support, or mandatory payments made by one parent to the custodial parent.
Courts take child support matters more seriously now than they have ever done. In fact, some courts are more willing to hold a parent in civil or criminal contempt of court for failing to pay child support. The good news is that if you are willing to hold the other party accountable, you can enforce your child support order.
At Joe Ingram Law LLC, we take child support matters seriously too. Our Birmingham child support lawyer handles child support matters by gathering the relevant income information to present to the court. It is necessary for you to collect income statements, tax returns, and any other documents that are related to your income for us to present the best case to the court on your behalf.
Rest assured that with Joe Ingram Law LLC on your side, you can ensure that fair child support payments are implemented and paid.
How is Child Support Established in Alabama?
Alabama has statewide child support guidelines. In fact, the guidelines were recently modified for cost of living adjustments. These guidelines determine the amount of child support based on:
- The combined gross income of both parents
- The number of children they have
- The health, education, and special needs of the child/children
- The standard of living of the child/children when parents were together
- The extracurricular activities of the children
Generally, we encourage the custodial parent to keep an expense ledger of their spending habits for three to six months to get an accurate picture of the actual needs of their child or children.
In a divorce case, parents often agree to the child support amount listed in the guidelines. However, when the income of the parties exceeds $10,000.00 a month or the child has a significant number of activities that they participate in, a judge will often determine the appropriate amount of child support for their needs.
The Importance of Paternity Testing
If the parents of a child are not legally married, the father’s paternity must be determined by paternity testing before a child support order can be obtained. These cases are held before a judge in family court.
Joe Ingram Law LLC child support lawyers can help you establish your paternity in these cases. The establishment of paternity is an important issue because if you are not the natural parent of a child, you should not be held responsible for paying child support.
Modifying Child Support Orders
Circumstances can change, and it may become necessary to modify an existing child support order. Common reasons for seeking a modification include:
- Change in Income: If a parent experiences a significant increase or decrease in income, they may request a modification.
- Change in Employment Status: Job loss or a change in job that affects earnings can warrant a reassessment of child support obligations.
- Changes in the Child’s Needs: As children grow, their financial needs can change, leading to a need for adjustments in support.
- Additional Children: The birth of another child can affect the ability to pay existing child support obligations.
To modify a child support order, one must file a motion with the court and provide evidence supporting the request for change. Our qualified Birmingham child support attorney can help alleviate the stress and confusion often associated with these cases
Enforcement of Child Support Orders
Ensuring that child support payments are made consistently is vital for the well-being of the child. If a parent fails to comply with a child support order, there are several enforcement options available:
- Wage Garnishment: The court can order that child support payments be automatically deducted from the non-custodial parent’s paycheck.
- Contempt of Court: Failing to pay child support can lead to contempt proceedings, which may result in fines or even jail time for the non-compliant parent.
- Tax Refund Interception: The state may intercept tax refunds to cover overdue child support payments.
- License Suspension: The court may suspend the driver’s license or professional licenses of parents who fail to make required payments.
Contact Our Child Support Lawyers in Birmingham
Navigating child support issues in Alabama can be complex, but you don’t have to face it alone. The team at Joe Ingram Law LLC is dedicated to providing comprehensive legal support tailored to your specific situation. Whether you need help establishing a child support order, modifying an existing one, or enforcing payments, we are here to help.
Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation and let us assist you in securing the financial support your child needs. With our guidance, you can approach your child support case with confidence, knowing that you have a dedicated advocate on your side.
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