Do I Need A Lawyer To Get Child Support?
Child support is a monthly payment made to offer financial support to a biological child, usually from the noncustodial parent (the parent who does not have primary custody) to the custodial parent (the parent who has primary custody). Child support provides for the child’s food, clothing, medical care expenses, day care expenses and educational expenses, like school supplies. Under Pennsylvania law, all parents are required to financially support their children until they turn 18 or until they graduate high school, whichever is later.
The experienced attorneys of Ruppert Law Firm LLC care about their clients’ children. Our firm is here to help parents deal with child support matters to ensure that the children’s best interests are met and the support is fair and practical for the paying parent. We are passionate about helping families in difficult situations and delivering positive solutions.
Setting Up Child Support In Pennsylvania
It is possible to apply to receive child support without hiring an attorney. Go to the PA Child Support System and enter your information. After you enter a new application for support, a conference will be scheduled where you and the other parent provide evidence for your financial information. Be prepared to show:
- Your monthly income and expenses for your child like food, clothing and housing
- Day care expenses
- Health insurance costs for your child or children
The court will then decide how much child support is due using a complex formula that considers both parents’ income, the needs of the child or children, and each parent’s ability to provide for the child or children. If you are interested, here is a child support calculator that can help estimate what your child support payment may be.
While this process is straightforward much of the time, complications can arise that can make an attorney’s advice and advocacy invaluable to you and your children. For example, one parent might seek a deviation from the standard formula. The law allows this under certain circumstances if factors like unusual needs or fixed expenses apply. If this arises, trying to argue your position in court by yourself could put you at a disadvantage versus your co-parent.
Find Out More About Our Child Support Services
The law is constantly changing and complicated. It may be in your child’s best interests to retain an experienced family law attorney who can navigate these complications for you to ensure the most financial security for your family. If you need help navigating the child support process, please contact us at 412-730-2187 today. We offer a free 30-minute consultation where we can assess your unique situation and offer expert legal advice about the best next steps for you and your family to secure the financial support your child is entitled to. We’ll be by your side when you need it most.