Glen Ellyn, Illinois Child Support Attorneys

Lawyers Helping Parents Address Issues Related to Financial Support in Glen Ellyn Family Law Cases

In a family law case, courts will want to ensure that children will receive the financial resources they need to thrive after their parents separate or divorce. Both parents have a responsibility to contribute to the upbringing and well-being of their children. At A. Traub & Associates, our lawyers help parents in Glen Ellyn address concerns related to child support. Whether a person is seeking support or being asked to provide it, we work to ensure that the financial arrangements will be fair, sustainable, and focused on providing for children's needs.

In child support cases, courts will usually take steps to maintain stability for children and ensure that they will have access to essential resources. At the same time, the law considers the financial realities of both parents. Our attorneys can provide strategic legal guidance on how to address these issues, and we can advocate for solutions that will support children while addressing our clients' legal and financial concerns.

The Importance of Child Support in Family Law Cases

Child support is meant to ensure that children will continue to receive the same level of support they would have had if their parents had not chosen to divorce or separate. It is intended to cover a wide range of the child's basic needs and help maintain a consistent standard of living between parents' households.

The guidelines provided in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/505) consider the combined income of both parents when determining an appropriate amount of child support. Obligations will be allocated between parents based on the amount each parent contributes to the total combined income. Additional adjustments may be made based on each parent's amount of parenting time and other relevant factors.

A clear, court-approved child support order can help to minimize disputes and ensure that both parents' obligations are clearly defined. Our attorneys work with clients to make sure child support is based on accurate income information, apply the appropriate statutory guidelines, and address other concerns about the financial resources available to meet children's needs.

Establishing Paternity Before Child Support Can Be Ordered

In cases where a child's parents were not married at the time of the child's birth, legal paternity must be established before a child support order can be issued. Without a legal determination of parentage, the courts cannot require a father to provide financial support, nor can the father assert rights to child custody. Our lawyers can help clients establish paternity when necessary, and we will ensure that all steps are completed properly to put child support orders in place.

What Child Support Covers

Child support is meant to address a range of everyday expenses related to the care and upbringing of a child, including housing, utilities, food, clothing, basic educational expenses, and routine medical care. However, Illinois courts recognize that children often have needs that go beyond what is covered in basic child support orders. In addition to the amount of child support calculated using statutory guidelines, parents may be required to share additional costs, which can include:

• Childcare Expenses: If daycare or other forms of childcare will be necessary for a parent to maintain employment or attend school, the costs of childcare may be divided between parents.
• Health Insurance Premiums and Uncovered Medical Expenses: Parents will typically be required to divide the costs of medical insurance and other expenses, including co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs.
• Educational Costs: School fees, tutoring, and related expenses may be shared by parents.
• Extracurricular Activities: When children participate in sports, music lessons, camps, scouting, or other enrichment programs, parents may divide the costs involved.

Modifying or Enforcing Child Support Orders

Child support obligations are not permanent, and they will typically be terminated once a child reaches the age of 18 or graduates from high school. However, there are other situations where child support orders may be modified. Either parent may request a modification when there has been a substantial change in circumstances, such as:

• A change in either parent's income or employment
• A significant shift in parenting time
• Changes in the child's needs, such as medical or educational requirements

When a parent does not pay child support as required, the other parent may take action to enforce child support obligations. Illinois courts have a range of enforcement tools that may be used in these cases, including wage garnishment, interception of tax refunds, or suspension of a person's driver's license or professional license. In some cases, willful refusal to pay child support could lead to contempt of court proceedings, which may result in fines or jail time.

Our attorneys assist clients with preparing and filing petitions to modify or enforce child support. We can provide representation during court proceedings to seek or contest changes, collect past-due child support, or take other enforcement actions. Our goal is to ensure that child support orders will continue to provide for children's needs.

Contact Our Glen Ellyn, IL Child Support Lawyers

Whether you are establishing a child support order for the first time, requesting a modification, or dealing with enforcement concerns, the lawyers at A. Traub & Associates can provide you with effective legal guidance and representation. Contact our Glen Ellyn child support order attorneys at 630-426-0196 to set up a consultation.