Seek Legal Help From A Trusted Kennewick Family Law Attorney
Both parents are required under Washington state law to assist their children financially. Hence, it will be necessary to decide child support issues with the help of a Kennewick Child Support Attorney in a variety of situations, such as divorce, modifications, and numerous other family law cases involving children.
Child support is a complex topic, and McBurney Law is knowledgeable about it, how it ties to other areas of state and federal law, and how it affects children as well as families. In order to get the best results, our Kennewick child support lawyer will work with you to assess your circumstances and prospective outcomes from every viewpoint.
We will make every effort to assist you in obtaining the fair and just agreement that both you and your children deserve, whether you need help calculating your child support payments or convincing your ex-spouse to comply with the terms. Contact our Washington family law attorney now!
Why Do I Need a Child Support Attorney in Washington?
Hiring a lawyer to manage your child support case is not required by law, but in some circumstances, it would be wise to do so. This is particularly true if you and your spouse cannot agree on the conditions of child custody or support conditions because you are going through a divorce or have a custody dispute.
A judge will frequently need to step in and make decisions in cases when spouses are in disagreement. If you want to be sure you obtain the greatest result, hiring a lawyer might be a good idea.
These are the various reasons for hiring a child support lawyer:
- A lawyer may be required if your case is complicated. For example, if your ex disagrees with the terms of your divorce, the amount of child support, or the custody arrangement, a lawyer would best persuade the judge to rule in your favor.
- The other parent might be represented by a lawyer. If your ex is represented by a lawyer, they are dealing with someone who is familiar with the legal system, the litigation process, and possibly even the judges’ personal preferences. You would rather not place yourself in a situation where you have to struggle to understand the procedure while your ex’s lawyer presents all the evidence necessary to support their side.
- A lawyer can assist in determining how much child support should be paid. They are aware of the specific criteria the judge will use. Having a lawyer on your side guarantees that the child support order is for the correct amount required to adequately care for your child.
- Your child custody case may also benefit from legal counsel because child support and custody disputes frequently coexist. The best course of action could be to employ a lawyer because the custody arrangements will directly impact your relationship with your children.
- Child support modification is simpler with legal representation. To alter an existing child support order, you must demonstrate a significant change in circumstances. An attorney can provide an outline of what a “substantial change” constitutes. They could also assist you in gathering the appropriate supporting evidence so the judge will comprehend your request for a modification.
How Can a Child Support Attorney Help?
A family law attorney who is well-versed in child support cases can assist you with your case in a number of ways, including:
- providing an explanation of the legal concerns and what to expect at each stage
- assessing your case and offering you proper legal advice on the best way to proceed
- calculating the amount of the future child support payments
- defending your rights by representing you at the court hearing
- negotiating on your behalf
We assist families exactly like yours every single day, so we are aware of the stress your life is currently under. This transition doesn’t need to be any more difficult than it needs to be. By contacting a Kennewick child support attorney from McBurney Law, you may simplify things for yourself, your ex, and your children.
Call us now or chat with us through our chat box at the lower right of our homepage.
What is Child Support?
The amount that one parent gives to the other for the care of the child is known as child support. This parent is the one who has physical custody of the child. The judge sets the child support total payment at the child support hearing. The amount in a custody arrangement might also be agreed upon by the co-parents. Normally, this money is paid each month.
Child support covers a child’s necessities, such as:
- Health insurance and medical care
- Education Expenses
- Child care
- Extracurricular activities
If situations change, like when a parent loses their job, they can request for a modification of child support after it has been ordered.
How Is Washington’s Child Support Calculated?
A court may require one or both parents in Washington to pay child support. Your child custody arrangement and each parent’s income will determine how much child support you will receive in Washington. Child support is often paid by the noncustodial parent or the parent who has the child for less than 50% of the time. Although Washington’s child support rules presumptively assume that the custodial parent spends the money specifically on the child, the custodial parent, the parent who stays with the child, is also liable for child support.
With a Washington child support calculator, you may determine your portion of the support. The child support schedule is based on the state’s child support regulations for Washington. Based on the number of children, their ages, and the parents’ combined income, you can calculate your child support obligation.
However, in addition to the basic assistance implied by the schedule, parents are also required to make additional expenditures. Although parents may agree to contribute greater than the Washington child support guideline amount, they are not permitted to pay less unless the court determines that it is in the best interests of the child. In any case, the whole amount of child support must be approved by a judge. A court may adjust support payments up or down depending on the needs of each parent and the child’s best interests.
How Do You Establish Child Support?
An official government order known as a “child support order” specifies who is responsible for providing for the basic needs and medical treatment of children. In most cases, the “noncustodial parent” is required to pay the “custodial parent” regular child support payments. By using this approach, it is ensured that both parents are contributing fairly to the costs of raising the children.
Many parents who have separated have informal arrangements in place regarding child support. These agreements can be verbal only or they can be written. It’s good when parents can reach an understanding. Still, regrettably, these informal agreements do not grant state agencies or courts any enforcement authority should the noncustodial parent turn into a “delinquent” or “deadbeat” parent who does not pay child support. If there is an informal agreement, the solution would be to make sure you go to court and ask a judge to “incorporate” (make it a part of) the official court order. The provisions of the agreement could be enforced and delinquent parents can be ordered to pay up if they have a formal court order for child support.
Not every couple can achieve a child support agreement. If they fail to do so, they are obligated to appear in court and request that the judge issue an order establishing the level and frequency of support.
How Should I Use Washington’s Child Support Guidelines?
On the Washington state legislature website, you may see the child support schedule. The total amount of child support owed is calculated using the combined net income of both parents, which is done by adding your net income to that of the other parent. Following that, the parents’ respective shares to the combined income are divided equally between them.
As an example, suppose Parent A and Parent B each make $1,000 per year in combined income and have a single child. They are required to pay a total of $220 in child support each month according to the child support schedule. If Parent A contributes 60% of the entire income ($600 monthly), then this parent will be responsible for paying $132 per month in child support, or 60% of the total amount. Just 40%, or $88 per month, of the combined income, or $400, will be paid in child support by Parent B.
The lowest total income on the schedule is $1,000. A court will consider each household’s resources and living costs to determine a fair payment if the parents’ combined income is less than this amount. The monthly minimum is $50 for support. Unless there is an exceptional case, such as significant wealth, that percentage cannot exceed 45% of a parent’s net income.
How to Challenge a Child Support Award in Washington?
On occasion, a parent or child will be treated unfairly by the amount of guideline support. Either parent may request a modification of the support obligation prior to the issuance of a child support order. A court will next consider a long list of variables to either raise or lower the amount of child support in that situation. These factors comprise of:
- income of a new partner, spouse, or other adult(s) living with you
- child support from other relationships
- presents, prizes, and other wealth
- extraordinary child’s income
- nonrecurring income, such as a bonus or overtime pay
- debt and taxes
- the difference in the cost of living between the parents
- the unique needs of a disabled child
- each parent’s presence with the child, and
- the children of other relationships.
Can Parents Agree to No Child Support in Washington?
Once the court approves the agreement, parents can decide to waive child support in Washington, but this rarely happens. A parent’s fundamental legal obligation to provide child support. The child support laws in Washington assume that both parents must provide financial assistance for their minor children.
If the father or mother of your children is not your spouse, you must be able to prove their paternity using the child’s birth certificate or a paternity test. You can take legal action against one parent to force them to comply if they won’t (this generally appears whenever a father tries to deny paternity because a child’s mother’s identity is more clear, but not exclusively). The court is going to issue a child support order if paternity has been confirmed, much like it would in a divorce case.
Call our Kennewick, WA Child Support Attorney Now!
In general, child support issues can be challenging and necessitate extensive communication between the parents and the court. If you require assistance with child support matters, it is in your best interests to consult a child support lawyer.
Our law firm believes that child support is a fundamental and crucial component of supporting a child’s well-being. The Kennewick child support attorney at McBurney Law can guarantee that everything runs smoothly whether you are making or receiving payments.
You don’t need to deal with this alone, get in touch with McBurney Law today and speak with a child support lawyer.
In case you also have legal concerns regarding Bankruptcy, Estate Planning, Criminal Defense, and other Family Law issues, do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Also, we can offer you quality legal services in our law offices located in the following counties in Washington:
- Adams County (Othello, Moses Lake, Ritzville)
- Yakima County (Yakima, Sunnyside, Grandview, Mabton, Toppenish, Selah)
- Spokane County (Spokane)
