Charlottesville Child Support Attorney

Under Virginia law, parents have a legal obligation to support their children financially. Child support is automatically determined in a divorce involving children, but it may need to be established by request if the parents were never married. Talking to an attorney is the first step if you have questions about child support matters. Contact Seiden Legal Group, PLLC, to schedule a consultation.

Each state establishes its own guidelines and formulas for how child support is calculated and applied. In Virginia, child support is based on several factors, including how much the parents earn, the amount of time each parent spends with the child, and any special circumstances. The parents’ basic living expenses are factored in, as are some specific expenses, such as childcare payments and health insurance premiums.

Child support disputes are common when one party believes that the obligation amount is unfair. However, the regular formula applies to the vast majority of cases. If you have exceptional circumstances that warrant a deviation from the basic child support obligation, talk with an experienced child support attorney.

In most cases, child support continues until the child either reaches the age of 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes later. However, there are some exceptions. Parents of children who have mental or physical disabilities that require long-term care may decide to have child support continued. If you believe that child support may need to continue longer than usual, an attorney can help you request this and ensure it makes it into the child support order.

Financial situations rarely stay exactly the same forever. Someone may get a promotion and a raise or may be laid off and need to find a lower-paying job. In some cases, it’s the child’s circumstances that change, such as being diagnosed with a long-term illness that will require expensive medical treatment. If you are having difficulty making the payments for your child support case or there has been a significant change in circumstances, a request for a review and potential modification can be made.

Child support is an essential part of being able to provide for your children financially. Family law attorneys can help you understand how much the child support obligation may be for your case and what to do if the other parent isn’t paying their fair share. Contact Seiden Legal Group, PLLC, to speak to an attorney if you have questions about child support or other family law matters.