If your child support is too high, you need an attorney

Getting divorced can be difficult. Not only is your primary relationship dissolving, you probably have to move and are now expected to pay child support. You can only see your children one night during the week and on alternating weekends and holidays. That can be frustrating and heart-breaking. If your child support level is too high, that can leave you in a really difficult position. Of course you want to support and care for your children. However, you also have living expenses to consider. Many times, the temporary support orders during divorce are created without all the necessary financial information.

California looks at a number of factors, including the income of both spouses and the financial and medical needs of the children, when determining child support amounts. In some situations, particularly in the early days of divorce, they may only have the financial information provided by your former spouse. This information could be inaccurate or outdated and could result in your child support level being too high. If this happens, you need the help of an experienced divorce and family law attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you seek an adjustment to your child support amounts.

Child support modification can be quite expensive

You can’t just send a form in and request a change in child support. Your attorney will need to file a request for a hearing, present evidence and argue on your behalf. Overall, it can be a very time-consuming and expensive process. Unless your child support amount is wildly wrong, it may make more sense to simply continue paying the ordered level of support. Why spend thousands of dollars on attorney fees to reduce your child support by $60 a month?Your attorney can help you deetermine if requesting a modification makes financial sense, given the details of your specific situation.

Have you lost your job? Does your former spouse now have a better paying job? Are you facing incarceration, or waiting for the birth of another child with a different parent? All of these factors can change the amount of child support you’re expected to pay. The courts will have to review the information you provide and determine if adjusting child support is appropriate and in the best interest of your children. If you do move forward with a hearing to change your child support amount, working with an experienced California family law attorney is your best option for a positive outcome.

An attorney can guide you through the process

From determining if you are a good candidate for adjustment to helping you gather evidence, an attorney’s assistance during a child support issue can be invaluable. Failing to pay your child support can request in the garnishment of your wages or even in your incarceration. Don’t risk your financial stability or your freedom. You need the help of an attorney if you hope to change your child support amounts.