If you are involved in a child support case, there are a number of things you should know, as given by child support lawyers.  These things include:

You can modify the payments.

You should know that the amount the judge orders you to pay for child support isn’t set in stone. You can modify it at any time.

Some states allow you to adjust your child support obligation every two years even if there are no obvious improvements in your financial situation. You should find this out and make the necessary adjustments.

Another way you can modify the payments is if you have made changes in custody. Maybe your children came to live with you, which differed from what happened in your previous divorce or custody case.

Due to this, your child support needs must be adjusted to fit what you’re doing with your children in your custody arrangement.

To make changes to the support, you must first submit a petition to the court; the judge will approve the modification, and you will be allowed to see the other party’s documents to ensure that the computation is correct.

You should note that you will be required to provide your income records to indicate details about your new custody schedule, and the court will sign off to ensure that your new child support obligation matches the child support.

You can be in trouble for refusing to pay the child support

When a judge tells you to pay a given amount of child support, you should state whether you can afford to pay. Don’t just keep quiet and refuse to pay; you will be in trouble.

Contempt actions can have serious implications, thus someone may be sentenced to prison or have a payment plan, depending on how much they are owing and how long it has been since they cooperated with the court’s decision.

Judges will want you to follow their orders, and they will enforce them.

If your partner files a contempt action to obtain child support under the prior order, the court will consider any special circumstances you have, such as if you have left the state or refused to pay or if there are any text messages or recordings that show you are doing so on purpose.

The court will consider the facts and circumstances of your case and, using a sliding scale of payback vs incarceration, will decide how your case will be resolved in any contempt proceedings.

To avoid being on the wrong side of the law, you should make the payments at the agreed date.

If there are changes in your life, such as loss of income, you should not just keep quiet. Instead, you should move fast in court and, with your attorney, file a case showing that you have lost your income and can’t continue making the payment.

You should always arm yourself with an attorney.

Whether you are filing for child support or being sued for it, you should always have a lawyer with you.

When hiring an attorney, don’t hire the first one you come across. Instead, take your time to find a reputable one.

Some of the things to look out for when hiring include:

Their experience with similar cases

Child support cases aren’t always easy, especially if your partner is struggling financially or refuses to pay. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to forecast whether you will encounter these complex issues at the outset of the divorce process.

To ensure that you are safe and you won’t need to hire another attorney later down the line, you should question your prospective child support lawyer if they have expertise with complex cases and, if so, how they handled them.

Though you can’t compare the outcome of another person’s divorce case to your own, observing how the attorney handled it can give you a good idea of how committed they’ll be to your case.

Whether they live close to you

Another element to consider is how close the lawyer is to you. Throughout the divorce process, you will need to visit the office multiple times to sign documents or drop off important paperwork.

Don’t add any extra stress to your already hectic schedule. If they live in your local area and have the qualities of a good attorney, you should give them priority over one living far away.

They are compassionate

As with every industry and those who work in it, there are likely to be a few bad apples, and the legal industry is no exception.

While most lawyers are kind and respectful and have a genuine interest in assisting you and your family, you may encounter a lawyer who is biased against individuals seeking divorce or child support. It’s weird, but it does happen on occasion.

As a result, you should ensure that the lawyer you’re considering hiring treats you with respect rather than like a number.

If you don’t get a good vibe from them, don’t assume they’re your only option. Trust your instincts and keep looking until you discover someone who understands your situation and has a plan of action to help, nothing less.

They are affordable

You should ensure that the attorney you are looking to hire is within your budget. Like auto dealerships, no two law firms charge the same rate, so shop around until you find one that fits comfortably into your budget.

Before you start working with the attorney, inquire about their payment cost. Do they require a set amount up front? Will they take payments in monthly installments?

Divorce is expensive enough, and you’re probably going through a brand-new financial adventure as you adjust to this new life on top of everything else, so don’t be afraid to ask these questions.

This is what family lawyers Fairfax VA are there for. To provide advice on all aspects of the divorce process.

Parting shot

These are some of the things you should know when having a child support case. Ensure that you pay the amount agreed on time, and when you are having problems, don’t simply stop making the payments; you will be in trouble.