Carol Stream, Illinois Child Support Lawyers

Attorneys Helping Parents Establish Child Support Orders in Carol Stream

Raising a child involves a variety of financial responsibilities. Parents will need to cover basic living expenses, including making sure their children are fed, clothed, and have a stable living situation. This is often just a starting point, and many other expenses may need to be paid as parents make sure children's medical and educational needs are addressed while providing them with a good quality of life. Determining how these ongoing financial responsibilities will be handled can be one of the most important aspects of a family law case.

While both parents are required to contribute to their children's ongoing financial needs, disagreements may arise about the specific amounts that should be paid and the expenses that should be covered. The team at A. Traub & Associates can help parents understand the issues related to child support that they may need to address. We can take steps to calculate the amount of support that should be paid while also addressing different types of expenses. We will work to resolve any disputes that may arise and make sure parents will be able to address the various expenses that they may encounter as they raise their children.

Why Parents May Disagree About Child Support

In family law cases, disputes related to child support may arise because parents have different views on how income and expenses should be handled and how to ensure that arrangements are fair. One parent may believe that the other parent's reported income does not reflect their true earnings, including when a parent is self-employed, works seasonally, or receives income through bonuses or commissions.

Parents may also disagree about which expenses should be considered part of child support and what types of additional costs may need to be addressed. One parent may feel that child support should cover costs such as school supplies, clothing, and basic medical care, while the other parent may believe that additional expenses should be itemized and divided between parents. Disputes can also arise when one parent believes that the other is not using child support payments appropriately.

Guidelines for Calculating Child Support Payments

The guidelines used to determine how much child support will be appropriate are meant to ensure that a child will receive the same amount of support that they would have received if their parents lived together. Basic child support obligations are determined by combining the parents' net incomes and comparing the resulting amount to a schedule that lists the amount that parents at this income level would spend to address their children's living expenses. Each parent will be assigned a percentage of that basic child support obligation based on their share of the combined income.

Courts may deviate from the standard child support guidelines in certain circumstances. In cases where a child has extraordinary medical needs, adjustments may be made to ensure that both parents are contributing toward the expenses involved in meeting those needs. In cases where one or both parents earn a high income or have significant financial resources, courts may determine an amount of child support that is appropriate for the situation.

Our attorneys can review income documentation for both parents, provide guidance on how parenting time arrangements may affect child support, and make sure the guidelines are followed correctly. When necessary, we can request a deviation from the guidelines, and we will take steps to help ensure that child support will meet children's ongoing needs.

Expenses That May Be Covered in Child Support Orders

While the basic child support obligation is meant to address regular living expenses like groceries and housing, child support orders may also address other categories of expenses. Parents may be required to contribute to certain costs, including:

• Health Insurance and Medical Costs: A child support order will typically require parents to include children on one parent's health insurance policy. Parents may divide health insurance premiums that are necessary to ensure that children are covered. They may also divide various out-of-pocket medical expenses.
• Child Care Costs: Children may attend daycare when parents are working, or other arrangements for providing child care may be made, such as hiring a nanny. The costs of child care when a parent is working or attending school will typically be shared by parents.
• Educational Expenses: Support orders can address costs such as private school supplies, educational fees, tutoring, or other education-related expenses.
• Extracurricular Activities: Parents may determine whether children will participate in activities like sports or music lessons, and they may agree that the costs related to these activities will be divided.

Modifying a Child Support Order

While child support may be calculated based on the circumstances of parents and children during a divorce or child custody case, these circumstances may change as time passes. Either parent can request a modification to address these changes. A parent may ask for a reduction in child support because they have lost their job or experienced other issues that affect their ability to pay support as ordered. A parent may ask for an increase in child support to cover certain types of expenses.

Taking the right steps to modify child support can help ensure that parents will be able to meet their children's needs while avoiding potential financial difficulties. Our lawyers can help clients file child support modification petitions and provide supporting documentation showing why modifications are necessary.

Contact Our Carol Stream, IL Child Support Attorneys

Decisions about child support can affect a parent's financial stability, and the orders put in place by courts can make sure a child's day-to-day needs will be met. At A. Traub & Associates, we can help ensure that our clients address child support issues the right way, including calculating child support payments and making sure different types of expenses will be covered. Contact our Carol Stream child support order lawyers at 630-426-0196 and set up a consultation today.