Citronelle Child Support Attorneys

The married population in Citronelle is higher than the national average, 57% vs 50% but the divorced population is also higher than the national average 13% vs 11%. This points to the fact that Citronelle is a traditional, blue-collar town that values the family. But things can turn out not as you expected.

Perhaps you and your co-parent share physical custody. Maybe one parent has primary custody and the other enjoys regular visitation. Regardless of what parenting schedule you have established, a child has the right to be financially supported by both parents. That’s why the state of Alabama has a lengthy set of guidelines and calculations used to figure out child support payments. Whether you expect to owe or receive child support, it’s important to know how the state makes its decisions and what you need to do.

A child support order can help you set strong boundaries in your co-parenting relationship and ensure that your child’s needs are met. Take the first step right now by calling Coumanis & York at 251-431-7272.

How Does Alabama Calculate Child Support?

Each state sets its own guidelines and expectations regarding child support. In Alabama, Form CS-42 allows you to calculate child support based on a wide range of factors. Each party provides their gross income and notes any alimony or child support payments.

The state looks at how much financial support the child should receive from the parents’ combined income, then adjusts the amount after weighing a wide range of factors. This results in a recommended child support order that the parties may agree on, or the court may order.

The key to figuring out how much you’ll owe or receive is your combined income. The Schedule of Basic Child-Support Obligations outlines how much financial support children should receive based on their parents’ combined income.

For example, two children with parents earning a combined $4,000 per month should receive $1,033 in support. Assume that Parent 1 earns $1,500 and Parent 2 earns $2,500. Parent 1 earns 37.5% of the combined income, so they would be responsible for 37.5% of the total support, or $387.38. Parent 2 would be responsible for 62.5% of the support, or $645.63.

Factors Affecting Child Support in Alabama

Of course, this base number is almost never the final amount. Many different factors affect how child support is calculated and awarded in Alabama. These factors include:

• The child’s previous standard of living: If the child is used to a certain lifestyle, the court will do what it can to ensure the child continues to enjoy the same type of life after the divorce. Divorce is never a child’s fault, and the court’s goal is to ensure that the child is as minimally affected by the split as possible.
• Any extraordinary needs the child has: A child with expensive extracurricular activities, significant medical problems, or other unusual needs will have higher living expenses than most other children. These needs and their associated costs will be considered in final child support awards.
• Other child support orders: If either parent is already paying child support for another child, that will be used in the final calculations. Though the court does want all children equally supported, it also doesn’t want to bankrupt a parent through child support orders.
• Direct costs paid by the parent: In situations where one parent pays a child’s expenses directly, those payments will take away from the amount of child support they owe. For example, if Parent 1 pays for dance lessons at the Rising Stars Studio of Dance, the amount they pay every month could be subtracted from their support.
• Healthcare and daycare expenses: Healthcare is one of the biggest expenses associated with raising a child. That’s why child support orders do look at who pays for the child’s healthcare coverage and daycare. If one parent pays these expenses already, that will decrease how much they owe.
• Custody arrangements: In general, the court favors custody agreements that allow a child substantial time with each parent. However, if the parents choose a schedule that allows one parent to have primary placement, that could change how much is owed.

What to Do If Circumstances Change

The child support agreement that works for you in the early days of your divorce may not work for you years down the line. If circumstances change, it’s likely you’ll need to request a modification of your child support order. It’s best if you and the other parent can agree to a modification without having to battle it out in court—not only is it less expensive, but it may also be better for your co-parenting relationship.

What may lead to a modification in child support? Reasons include:

• Change in custody arrangements. If one parent suddenly increases their parenting time, the other parent may owe more in child support.
• Changes in income. When one party’s income dramatically increases or drops, their child support order is likely to change accordingly. However, this change must be reported to the court.
• Increased cost of living. When everything gets more expensive, so does raising a child. Both parents need to pay their fair share.
• New or modified child support laws. If new laws change how child support is calculated or awarded, they could lead to a modification.

If you and your co-parent cannot agree on a change in child support, you may need to petition the court directly. When this happens, the court will look at your evidence and determine whether or not a modified order is necessary.

How Coumanis & York Can Help

When you choose Coumanis & York for your child support case, you can feel safe knowing that we have your child’s best interests in mind. Raising a child is incredibly expensive, and it’s even harder when one parent doesn’t want to pull their weight. Whether you and your co-parent agree on child support and need it documented or you have to fight for what your child deserves, we can help.

After we get an initial child support order established, we’re here for you when you need us. Perhaps your co-parent’s income triples, and you need help getting a higher child support payment. Maybe your child receives a serious medical diagnosis that will significantly increase medical expenses. However, your circumstances may change, know that we’re ready to work with you and for you.

Reach Out to Coumanis & York Today

When you’re ready to pursue child support or get an official order in place, it’s time to talk to the team at Coumanis & York. Just give us a call at 251-431-7272 or contact us online to set up a meeting time.