When children are involved in some kind of family legal matter, including divorce or paternity, the issue of child support often arises. Child support is actually a regular payment one parent has to make to the other in accordance with a court order, while the other is granted allowances based on their income, said family lawyer Lennon. In addition to making child support payments, the non-custodial parent may also be ordered to pay spousal support (for the same person, even if they have separate incomes) or may have to pay individual services based on their financial needs.
Often, however, the parents struggle to work out an arrangement that satisfies all of the participants, but it can be difficult. The most common way that this occurs is when one party is very rich and can simply refuse to make a payment. That’s why it is so important to hire a St. Louis child support lawyer to mediate the matter. Unless the judge orders child support (as opposed to child support being ordered by the custody court), then the non-custodial parent will have to bear the lion’s share of the child support amount. The St. Louis child support lawyer can help that parent make sure they get just what they deserve. For more information, check out www.stlouisdivorcelawyers.net/child-support/.
While a non-custodial parent may feel like they don’t need the services of a St. Louis child support attorney, you should not underestimate the value of this resource. Child support orders are legally binding, so it is in the best interest of the custodial parent to seek counsel from one. Additionally, having someone on your side fighting for your rights can make all the difference in the world in terms of your ability to maintain a comfortable living situation for yourself and your child. If you’re already in financial difficulty and are having trouble making ends meet, then taking a proactive approach to your situation can mean the difference between being able to afford the basics and living in an apartment as a single parent.
When searching for child support attorneys in St. Louis, you want to keep in mind that there are many of them to choose from. Also keep in mind that some attorneys offer their legal services in areas other than Missouri. While this would be preferable, it’s not always possible. Therefore, before hiring any attorney, you’ll want to make certain that they know the region well. In addition, make sure that they are experienced in handling cases that will fall under your jurisdiction.
Most importantly, remember that you are the custodial parent. This means that you are the person who should make the child support payments. If you do not want to pay them, then do not allow the other parent to send payments to them or place them in escrow. You are the one who should be paying and shouldn’t be paying more than you should. This is especially true when you have an attorney to represent you.
Parents who live in the St. Louis area need to take a close look at their options when it comes to paying child support in this state. Although there may be other states that have similar laws, Missouri is unique in that it offers some pretty unique options and guidelines. For instance, it is required that both parents contribute toward the payments, although it is also up to the court’s discretion as to what they want the amount to be. Also, most of the time the amount the parents contribute towards the child support payments is lower than the amount they could potentially pay if they were awarded custody or visitation right away. Being represented by an attorney who is knowledgeable in the Missouri law can be extremely helpful and can help you avoid making mistakes that can affect you and your child down the road.