I’ve Been Arrested for Domestic Violence in North Carolina : Now What?
Knox Law August 15, 2019
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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Child Support Attorneys
There are millions of divorced parents who pay or receive child support. Federal legislation and uniform state laws exist to make enforcement and collection of child support easier across the country. That being said, each state has its own guidelines and formulas for establishing child support and its own infrastructure for collecting it. If you have questions about the child support laws in NC, the rules for child support collection and enforcement that apply to your particular situation, contact a family law attorney at Knox Law Center in Charlotte to schedule a consultation.
Child support basics
In general, parents owe their children a legal duty of financial support until the child reaches the age of majority (usually either 18 or 21 years old, depending on state law) or becomes self-supporting. When only one parent has primary custody of the child, the other parent’s obligation for financial support is usually fulfilled through the payment of child support. Child support is owed whether the child lives with his or her other parent or a third party. It doesn’t matter from a legal perspective whether or not the person with whom the child lives could technically afford to support the child on his or her own; the legal duty of financial support still exists for both parents. Depending on the state, child support may be owed even if the parents share custody.
Each state has adopted its own set of guidelines for determining child support. While individual guidelines differ, most arrive at the amount of support owed through a consideration of the needs of the child, the amount of time the child spends with each parent and the income of the paying parent. Family courts use the guidelines to establish the amount of support required. The guideline amounts are presumed to be proper unless persuasive evidence to the contrary exists.
Enforcement of child support orders
The duty to pay child support generally starts with an order for support from a state family court. The order may be issued as part of a temporary or final divorce proceeding. If the parents were unmarried, then paternity must be established before an order for support will be issued.
Child support payments are usually due at specific times each month and in many jurisdictions may be directly withheld from the paying parent’s wages. In most states, the paying parent may be able to make his or her payments to a child support registry that will forward the payments to the custodial parent and keep track of payments that are made.
If child support payments aren’t made as scheduled, a variety of measures exist to collect past due amounts (called “arrears” or “arrearages”) and to protect against future non-payments. To encourage prompt child support payment, many states have laws that allow a family court judge to suspend professional or business licenses, to take away driver and recreational licenses, to require prepayment of future child support, or to order incarceration for the failure to make court-ordered child support payments.
Each state also has an office of child support enforcement. These federally supported state agencies help locate responsible parents, work with family courts to create child support orders and ensure payment. There are also federal laws that criminalize non-payment of child support when the paying parent lives in a different state.
Modification of child support orders
Both the parent receiving child support and the parent paying child support may request changes to a child support order. Some states require regular review of existing child support orders while others review child support orders only upon request. Parents receiving support may have the amount increased upon a showing that the paying parent’s income has increased, especially if the current amount of ordered support does not meet the child’s needs. Support may also be increased because of a child’s specific needs for things like medical treatment, therapy, tutoring or orthodontic care.
Paying parents may be able to decrease the amount of future support payments if they face the loss of a job, a significant reduction in income or when the custodial parent’s income increases. Federal law prohibits states from forgiving past due child support payments. Courts are reluctant to reduce child support awards without good cause, and paying parents may have an earning capacity imputed to them whether or not their actual earnings reflect that amount. This is often the case if the court feels that a parent from whom support has been ordered is voluntarily underemployed or unemployed just to avoid paying child support.
Contact a family law attorney today
A family lawyer at Knox Law Center in Charlotte, NC, can help you to obtain a child support order, enforce a child support order or request a child support order modification.
DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.
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Ben Robinson
Mar 21, 2020
Excellent services provided.
Attorney Frances Knox helped my family in providing much needed legal documents. She was very prompt, knowledgeable and went well out of her way to help us. She provided excellent legal services and was very congenial and easy to work with throughout the process. I highly recommend her as an attorney.
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Mar 4, 2020
Exceptional Legal Representation & True Professional, Genuine Individual
I first met Allen after he was recommended to me by a friend, and I couldn't be happier with the service that he provided. He demonstrated a unique attention to detail in my case, as well as expressed a genuine interest in me as a person. Through a great deal of hard work, Allen was able to appeal my case and get all of my charges dismissed. I couldn't be more grateful for him and his assistant, Sherry, for their legal and personal support during such a difficult time. Hiring Allen was the greatest decision I've ever made, and I would recommend Allen to anyone seeking exceptional legal representation.
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Feb 23, 2020
The most amazing lawyer, a true gem & winner
Allen is the best lawyer I've ever met! His character is genuine, and there is a warmth about him that makes you feel so comfortable. If you ever get into a situation with DWI, and feel truly remorseful for what happened, HIRE him for the BEST chance possible. I previously spent 6000$ on an attorney who just didn't feel like they really gave me the personal care that I needed. They were only in it for the money. After hearing raving reviews about Allen, I fired my lawyer and took a leap of faith with Allen. Even though I had to pay two separate times and could not get a refund for the previous lawyer, IT WAS WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!! He won my case with dignity, respect, and care and I am forever thankful to him for this.
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