A Comprehensive Overview of Child Support
Notably, the law requires non-custodial parents to pay a support allowance, which is usually on a monthly basis to help the custodial parent meet the expenses of the child. In other words, the non-custodial parent pays child support to the custodial parent. The order to pay the allowance may come because of divorce or after determining the paternity of the child. The court of law that determines the amount payable bases the number on the income of the parents while balancing the percentage of time the parents spend with the child. The allowance may arise in the following cases.
Child Support in Joint Custody Cases
The main objective for the monthly allowance is to ensure the child has enough provision, irrespective of where the child lives. In this regard, the law maintains that the child has a right to provision, regardless of whether the parents are living together or in separate homes. Naturally, the non-custodial parent pays the custodial parent the allowance. However, when it comes to joint custody, a client might need a reputable lawyer like Maureen Stubbs to argue their case in a family court.
Child Support in Unmarried Parents
The law exempts the husband the responsibility of a child if he is not the paternal father. Therefore, a child born outside marriage may not benefit from the support provision of the husband. Thus in a scenario like this, it is important to prove paternity in order for the court to order the paternal father to pay child support.
Ways of Resolving the Child Support Dispute
Notably, the law allows three ways of determining support. The parties can reach an agreement using informal agreements. Secondly, parents can reach to a conclusion through an alternative resolution mechanism as explained here. Alternatively, one of the parents can seek a court order, ordering the non-custodial parent to contribute to the support of the child. This situation arises when the parents fail to negotiate and come to an amicable settlement.
When you find yourself in the last option of a court dispute, you require an informed and reputable lawyer to argue your case. The decision of the court depends on how strong the lawyer presents your case. Therefore, when you want to win a Los Angeles child support case, you should look for the best lawyer to represent you in court. Once you settle the case, you need someone to guide you through the drafting of the support agreement and in case the other party violates the agreement, you can return to court with violation of agreement charges.
