Child Support Attorney in Sunset Hills, MO

Knowing the Basics of Child Support in Missouri

Navigating the complex world of child support laws and regulations can be challenging, which is why working with our skilled child support attorney in Sunset Hills, MO is essential. Child support is a crucial aspect of family law that ensures the well-being of children after a divorce or separation. 

At Doyel Law, we understand the importance of providing children with the financial support they need to thrive. Whether you need help calculating child support payments, enforcing a child support order, or modifying an existing child support agreement, we can guide you through the process and fight for your legal rights. Schedule an initial consultation with our trusted Missouri family law attorneys to learn more about how we can help protect your rights and the well-being of your children.

What is Child Support?

Child support is a payment from a non-custodial parent to the custodial parent after a separation or divorce. This is intended to help cover the costs of raising a child or children they have together. The purpose of child support is to ensure that the child’s basic needs, such as food, housing, medical care, and clothing, are met and that the child can maintain a similar standard of living as they would have if both parents were still living together.

Child support payments become a critical issue for many divorcing spouses and those who are experiencing a difficult family law matter. If you have questions about child support or need assistance with child support issues, it is crucial to seek legal advice from our top-ranking Sunset Hills child support lawyer to help protect your rights and ensure that your child’s best interests are met.

How is Child Support Calculated?

The exact formula for calculating child support is different from state to state. The amount of child support that a non-custodial parent must pay is determined by Missouri Child Support Guidelines. These guidelines take into account several factors to determine the amount of child support that the non-custodial parent is required to pay. 

Our knowledgeable Sunset Hills MO child support attorney can help you determine the different factors considered in the calculation of child support, including the following:

Gross Income of Both Parents

Gross income encompasses all sources of income before any taxes and deductions are figured out and includes any salaries, wages, tips, bonuses, commissions, and other sources of financial gain.

Number of Children Involved

The number of children you and your former spouse share, as well as their ages, also plays a significant role in child support cases. Child support payments increase with the number of children requiring funding. 

Custody Arrangement

The amount of time each parent spends with the children is another factor affecting child support. If the non-custodial parent has more parenting time, this may result in a lower child support amount.

Child Care and Health Care Costs

Children often differ in the amount of financial support they require based on things like age or medical status. Child care and health care costs are added to the child support amount and divided between the parents based on their incomes.

Financial Needs of the Children

This is an extremely important component of every case involving child support, as expenses made to take care of the children give the court a better idea of how much the custodial parent will require.

What are the Consequences of Non-Payment of Child Support?

Failing to pay child support in Missouri can have severe consequences. Courts take this responsibility very seriously and will typically give high priority to issues concerning missed child support payments. Depending on where you live, the courts have several tools at their disposal for enforcing child support orders.

Failure to comply with child support orders can have significant consequences not only for the non-custodial parent but also for the children and families involved. Non-payment of child support can have a significant impact on the child’s standard of living and may result in the custodial parent struggling to meet the child’s needs. 

Our competent child support lawyer in Sunset Hills, MO can help ensure that you understand your obligations under the law. If a non-custodial parent fails to pay child support, they may face several consequences, including:

Wage Garnishment

The court may order the non-custodial parent’s employer to deduct child support payments directly from their paycheck.

Suspension of Driver’s License

The court may suspend the non-custodial parent’s driver’s license until they make the required child support payments.

Property Liens

The court may place a lien on the non-custodial parent’s property, such as a house or car, to collect overdue child support payments.

Contempt of Court

If the non-custodial parent violates a court order to pay child support, they may be held in contempt of court. Parents who do not comply with their payment agreement will be penalized by a fine, community service, and even possible jail time. The severity of the charges may depend solely on the amount unpaid.

Why Do I Need a Child Support Attorney in Missouri?

In Missouri, child support is a legal obligation that must be taken seriously. The court expects both parents to provide financial support for their children, and failure to comply with child support orders can result in severe legal consequences. If you are facing child support issues in Missouri, it is important to work with our credible Sunset Hills child support attorney to guide you through the legal process.

At Doyel Law, we are committed to:

• Helping you understand your legal rights and obligations and ensuring that you comply with all court orders and state laws.
• Helping you reach a fair and reasonable child support agreement that meets the needs of both parties, especially the child.
• Advocating for your rights, negotiating a settlement, representing you in court, and helping you obtain a more reasonable payment plan that takes into account your current financial situation.
• Handling child support proceedings professionally, protecting your financial security, and prioritizing your child’s well-being.

Our legal team has extensive experience in handling child support cases in Sunset Hills, MO, and we can assist you in all aspects of child support proceedings. If you are facing child support issues we are ready to provide you with the effective representation you deserve. Contact us now and schedule an initial consultation to review your case and discuss all of your legal options.

Call Our Experienced Sunset Hills Child Support Attorney Now!

Compliance with child support orders is critical for the well-being of children and families in Missouri. It provides financial assistance to the custodial parent to meet the child’s basic needs, ensures stability and routine for the child, and ensures fair distribution of expenses. 

Failure to comply with child support orders can result in severe legal consequences and impact the well-being of the children involved. Child support issues can be stressful and overwhelming, which is why it is important to seek legal help from our seasoned Sunset Hills child support attorneys at Doyel Law. 

Our family law firm can help you understand your legal rights and obligations, negotiate settlements, represent you in court, or even seek a modification of child support orders. We help families in St. Louis, Metro East, and Southern Missouri who are struggling with legal separation and alimony as well as child custody, and support enforcement. We also guide clients in dealing with bankruptcy and estate planning cases. Schedule an initial consultation with us today to discuss how we can help.