Raising children can be expensive with housing, food, and other necessities. Therefore, both parents must share the financial responsibilities. When parents separate or divorce, they usually need to make a child support payment arrangement.
The calculation for payments and other costs follows pre-determined and specific guidelines. Factors for consideration include both parents’ income and custody and visitation schedules. When your former spouse or partner is not following up with payments, you can connect with one of our qualified child support attorneys. Call a Southbury child support enforcement lawyer if you need help collecting as the court orders.
Various child support enforcement issues can arise, including payment calculation disagreements, modifying orders, and seeking relief when someone fails to comply with family court orders. Another common problem is pursuing back support, which may include cases for children who are now over 18. A custodial parent may also seek assistance in filing a motion for contempt and enforcement of payments when the non-custodial parent lives out of state.
The standard calculation for child support payments includes the following factors:
Parents may choose to settle on an arrangement outside of court and submit the final agreement for approval.
Federal and state enforcement agencies usually do not police compliance with the payment terms and conditions ordered by the court. When a party to the order fails to adhere to the terms and conditions, the other may need to file a Motion for Contempt.
Upon filing, the family court judge may hold the individual in contempt and order them to pay as necessary. Depending on the case specifics, they may also order other penalties, including fines and in extreme cases imprisonment.
Before the passage of federal law in 1996, a parent in arrears for child support could relocate, and the courts in one state could not take legal action to enforce orders. However, federal legislation, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, has significantly changed this scenario, protecting the rights of parents seeking to collect support from a parent living in another state in recent years.
The regulations grant the authority for states to work together to uphold child support orders. Depending on the circumstances, an attorney in Southbury can review each option in-depth and help determine which is most fitting for child support enforcement.
Parents seeking help enforcing or modifying child support orders can contact Support Enforcement Services, also called SES, for assistance. This agency is part of the Judicial Branch, Court Operations Division. They work alongside federal and state agencies to govern the rules and regulations and maintain operations of the Connecticut Child Support Enforcement Program.
There must be an order establishing child support payments and other expenses before SES has the authority to assist with enforcement. The family court judge may decide child support orders, or the parents may voluntarily agree outside of court and submit them for court approval. A lawyer in Southbury understands the guidelines and can help with the process of enforcing child support payments from application to case completion.
Once the court approves the child support order, custodial parents can enforce payments when necessary. However, the process can be overwhelming without legal guidance.
Schedule an appointment with a hard-working, experienced Southbury child support enforcement lawyer today. We are ready to help you with your case.
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