Every parent in Norfolk County and any part of Massachusetts has a legal obligation to financially support their children, even if they are no longer in a relationship with a child’s other parent. Child support orders issued by a family court work to enforce this requirement. A child support order could stem from a court hearing, divorce proceedings, or an agreement by the parties.
Either way, understanding your rights and responsibilities as a parent could be much easier if you retain a knowledgeable Norfolk County child support lawyer as early as possible. While courts have the exclusive authority to make legally binding decisions regarding child support obligations, there is a lot you could do with a family attorney’s assistance. For instance, our team members could help you protect your rights throughout the entire process of handling a support order.
Basic Child Support Calculations in Norfolk County
In practice, child support obligations generally fall on the non-custodial parent, since it is assumed the parent with primary custody would fulfill their financial responsibilities through caring for the child daily. Meanwhile, the state’s child support guidelines calculate the money that a non-custodial parent must provide each month.
The main variable prioritized by these guidelines is each parent’s gross monthly income, a figure which includes not only work wages or salary but also tips, commissions, bonuses, dividends, royalties, pensions, and even Social Security or disability benefits. If a court finds that a parent has intentionally remained underemployed or unemployed to reduce their gross income, that court may assign a more reasonable amount of income onto that parent and make child support calculations based on this new total. This is often referred to as imputation of income.
Once each parent’s gross income is established, each parent’s child support obligation is calculated based on the percentage that they contribute to the combined monthly income. When applicable, certain expenses paid on a child’s behalf like health insurance and the cost of extracurricular activities may be incorporated into a support order.
While this system might seem confusing and overwhelming to navigate alone, a knowledgeable Norfolk County attorney could elaborate on these child support requirements during a consultation.
Can a Family Deviate from these Child Support Guidelines?
It is important to understand that these guidelines are flexible. If two parents believe that deviating from the regulations would better serve a child’s interests, they can usually petition a court to reconsider the value of required support. Factors that courts may consider when deciding whether to modify child support obligations include:
- Extraordinary medical or other childcare-related expenses
- The child’s special needs
- Extreme disparity between each parent’s standard of living
- Serious health issues for the paying parent
- The amount of parenting time each parent has
- Past removal of the child from a parent’s home due to abuse or neglect
A seasoned lawyer in Norfolk County could assess each parent’s situation to determine if modifying a child support order or deviating from the established guidelines would help better care for a minor.
Seek Help from a Norfolk County Child Support Attorney
Child support responsibilities can vary significantly from person to person, and the basic calculations included in state guidelines do not always perfectly match a family’s circumstances. Because of this, having advice from experienced legal counsel can be vital to obtaining a support order that preserves your child’s best interests without being unfair to you.
A conversation with a Norfolk County child support lawyer could be a key first step towards achieving a positive case outcome. Call our office today to schedule your initial consultation.
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