Financial issues involving children often become one of the most contested parts of any family law matter. Parents may disagree about the appropriate support amounts or how expenses should be divided after separation or divorce. An experienced Santa Clarita child support lawyer can help you navigate these issues and get a workable support award that helps your child have what they need.
Diarian & Bociaga is one of the leading family law firms in Santa Clarita, CA; we have decades of combined experience handling complex child support cases. Contact us today to discuss your case and learn how we can help you.
Why Hire Diarian & Bociaga for My Child Support Case in Santa Clarita?
Support disputes require attorneys who understand the complex calculations courts use to determine support amounts and the complex emotional issues that surface when decisions about money and childcare expenses are on the table. A skilled Santa Clarita child support attorney will use this knowledge to help you reach a fair and enforceable support amount.
Parents in Santa Clarita, California, choose Diarian & Bociaga because we:
- Bring extensive experience handling child support and other California family law matters
- Provide personalized client service and develop legal strategies tailored to your financial situation and parenting needs
- Advocate for you during settlement discussions, mediation, and contested court proceedings
- Pursue support arrangements that promote financial fairness and stability for the child and both parents
If you’re ready to seek legal help, call our experienced family law attorneys today for assistance.
Should I Hire an Attorney to Handle My Child Support Case?
In California, Child support is typically ordered whenever parents no longer live together (divorce, break ups, etc.) but still share responsibility for raising a child. Both parents have financial responsibilities to their child. But one parent (often the higher earner or parent with less physical custody time) may be expected to pay child support to the other.
A child support attorney can help you navigate your child support issue by:
- Advising you on how California courts calculate and enforce child support obligations
- Examining tax records, pay information, and other financial documentation relevant to your case
- Challenging support calculations based on incomplete or inaccurate income information
- Preparing and filing petitions to establish, enforce, or modify child support orders
- Representing your interests during negotiations, mediation, and family court hearings
Having an attorney is the best way to ensure you — as a paying or receiving parent — get a child support obligation/award that is fair and reasonable.
What is Child Support, and What Expenses Does It Pay For?
Child support is a payment made by one parent to the child’s other parent to help address expenses related to their child’s daily life and care. These payments may help cover:
- Housing expenses
- Utilities and food
- Clothing and school supplies
- Medical and dental costs
- Childcare and transportation expenses
California courts use a statutory guideline formula to determine a parent’s child support obligations. The calculation generally considers each parent’s earnings, parenting time arrangements, healthcare/insurance costs, and certain mandatory expenses related to the child.
Can a California Child Support Award Be Changed in the Future?
Some parents experience financial hardship after support orders are entered. If circumstances change substantially, a parent may request modification of the order to help align their support obligation with their new financial realities.
Modifications may be appropriate after changes involving:
- Employment
- Income
- Custody schedules
- Medical or childcare costs
However, hardship or not, parents are never allowed to simply stop paying. Failing to comply with a support order can lead to aggressive court enforcement actions, including, but not limited to, wage garnishment, driver’s license suspension, and contempt proceedings. A paying parent is responsible for the court-ordered amount until a modification is approved.
Contact an Experienced Child Support Attorney for Help
Child support cases benefit from attorney involvement at the earliest stages. Your lawyer can protect your rights and advocate for a fair award or payment based on the financial realities of you and your child’s lives.
Diarian & Bociaga is here to help you seek a child support order that makes sense. Contact our experienced Santa Clarita child support lawyers today to discuss your case.