Every child in Toledo has the right to have financial support from both of their parents. When the parents do not live together, the law makes allowances for individuals with primary custody, provided that they cover most of the daily costs of that child’s care. As a committed family attorney can explain, these allowances, combined with the stresses of co-parenting, make disputes over child support a reasonably common occurrence.
If you are facing an issue surrounding the financial support for your child, you can benefit from putting your case in the hands of an experienced Toledo child support lawyer. Call our firm today for more information on how our services can help you in your current situation.
When one parent pays child support to another, this money is intended to cover the basic and additional needs of their child. These can include essential things such as:
This money is also earmarked for any medical expenses a child has. However, if medical needs are extraordinary, the court might issue a separate order dealing directly with those needs. These mandates often instruct both parents to share the costs but could require the individual with a higher income to pay more. A credible Toledo child support attorney can help a parent better understand their responsibilities and navigate any additional conditions that arise.
Like most jurisdictions, courts in Toledo rely on the state’s child support guidelines to determine how much is owed by each parent. These guidelines take into account the income each person earned in the previous three years—regardless if it was taxable or not, and includes more than just standard wages. Tips, dividends, royalties, and even non-means-tested benefits like workers’ compensation claims are also considered.
However, there are some things the state will deduct from a parent’s gross income once it is calculated. For example, these deductions typically include things like spousal support, income taxes, and union dues. Once the final income amount is calculated, the court uses that amount to determine the child support obligation for each parent.
It is important to remember that these guidelines are only a starting point. Ultimately, the courts have the power to deviate as they see fit. A resourceful Toledo attorney can make an appeal for or against these deviations in a child support case.
It is not uncommon for one or both parents to be unhappy with the terms of the final child support order. Even if both do not object initially, life factors can lead one or both parties to seek a modification.
While it is possible to alter the terms, this can only be done with court approval. Typically, changes are only an option after 36 months have elapsed since the initial order unless certain circumstances are present such as a medical emergency or a parent’s financial situation suddenly changing.
If you are facing a child support dispute, you have the right to seek legal counsel to help you fight for a fair outcome. The guidance of a practiced Toledo child support lawyer is valuable whether you are dealing with the issue for the first time or seeking modification of the original order.
Reach out to Groth & Associates today to set up an initial consultation into your situation.
