YOUR GUIDE TO CHILD SUPPORT IN YORK, PA
The fundamental purpose of child support is to ensure that the child maintains the same standard of living as before the divorce. Child support payments can be used to cover any child-related expense, such as food, housing, entertainment, school fees, and extracurricular activities. The amount of child support is determined by the court depending on numerous factors, including:
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Age of children
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Income of non-custodial parent
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Financial requirements of children
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Income of custodial parent
ENFORCING CHILD SUPPORT
It is all too common for the non-custodial parent to fall behind on payments or cease paying entirely. If one is having trouble getting their ex-spouse to meet his or her financial duties to the children, they may need to go to court to get the requirements fulfilled. Delinquent child support payments in Pennsylvania are dealt with by a special agency. The Bureau of Child Support Enforcement is responsible for resolving child support issues such as establishing paternity and obtaining child support orders from the courts.
If the child's other parent is missing and cannot be found, steps can be made to identify the parent so that support orders might be implemented. An income withholding order, which directs an employer to take child support payments from the other partner's paycheck for unpaid support from the past, current support, and related costs, is one of the orders that one can issue with the help of our legal office.
When it comes to parents who have another family to support, the maximum amount of income that may be kept (withheld) is 50%, and for those people who do not have another family to maintain, it is 60%.
If there are outstanding payments, the penalty can be increased by five percent if the payments have been missed for 12 weeks or longer.
If this fails, the "Insurance Intercept Program" may be required. It allows money from insurance settlements to be used to pay back child support, including accident awards and workers' compensation awards above $5,000. We frequently assist as counsel to solve unpaid child support concerns through different levels of legal pressure tailored to get outcomes at our firm.
Seth and his staff are very nice and helpful people. They are helping me through a very difficult time in my life and I'm glad to have them on my side to represent me. I highly recommend this firm.
- Shelby M.
Seth took the extra time to fully explain to me thoroughly in detail the answers to all of the questions i had. He sensed my urgency and immediately went to the courthouse to file.
- Michael B.
HOW TO MODIFY CHILD SUPPORT
The fact that both parents are accountable for their children's material well-being and upbringing is one of the most common arguments for modifying the amount of child support payments in York, PA. If the paying parent receives a raise or another source of income, the custodial parent frequently requests an increase in the payment so that the children can live in a better environment.
A change in the child's life that necessitates more money, such as medical treatments, is another likely cause for an increase. In some circumstances, the paying parent requests a payment decrease. If a parent loses their job or other circumstances emerge that make it impossible for them to pay, the court frequently agrees to reduce the parent's financial responsibility.
HOW CAN A CHILD SUPPORT MEDIATOR HELP YOU?
Mediation is frequently recommended by our firm over litigation because we believe it can save you money, time, and stress. When one hires a child support mediator, they and their spouse agree to express the complaints and reach an amicable agreement with the assistance of a neutral third-party mediator. Effectively, this mediator helps people have a civil and constructive conversation about the parameters of the child custody arrangement.
Many people are glad to find that engaging a divorce mediator gives one the opportunity to settle contested divorce matters, such as child custody, outside of the courtroom. Our clients can walk away from their divorce knowing that their voice was heard if the process is effective. Please do not hesitate to contact our business if you believe a divorce mediator can assist you. We're here to assist all clients in York, PA.
WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF THE CHILD CUSTODY ARRANGEMENT ON THE CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATION?
Even if one parent earns more than the other, a parent with the primary physical custody of a child is eligible for child support from the non-custodial parent in Pennsylvania. A parent who is a kid's primary caretaker is believed to be spending expenses such as buying clothes and food under Pennsylvania law, so a parent who is the primary custodian is never required to pay child support to the other parent.
A non-custodial parent who devotes 40% of their parental time to a kid is also eligible for a 10% reduction in child support payments. A parent who spends 50% of their parental time with a kid may be eligible for a 20% reduction in child support payments.
IN NEED OF CHILD SUPPORT? CONTACT AN ATTORNEY FROM OUR YORK, PA LEGAL OFFICE
Child support is one of the concerns that must be addressed in a divorce involving children. Irrespective of child custody agreements, both parents are accountable for the children's financial requirements. Before the divorce is finalized, the individual and their ex-spouse must come to an agreement on child support that satisfies the standards for the current and future well-being of the children.
With many years of trial litigation experience, a lawyer at our legal offices can assist you in enforcing the court's child support order so that the children have the resources they require to be healthy and happy. Contact an experienced divorce mediation attorney at our law firm now to avoid the courtroom and if you are in need of representation in child support matters.