Wheaton, Illinois Child Support Attorneys

Lawyers Helping Parents Establish Workable Child Support Arrangements in Wheaton

Some of the most critical issues addressed in family law cases involving children will be related to child support. Whether parents are going through a divorce, resolving a paternity matter, or addressing other child custody issues, they will need to determine how they will share the financial responsibilities of raising their child or children. Child support is not considered optional—it is a legal obligation that applies to both parents, ensuring that they will contribute to their child's upbringing, regardless of custody arrangements or the nature of the parents' relationship.

The Wheaton child support attorneys at A. Traub & Associates can help parents navigate legal issues related to child support. We can help address any disputes that may arise regarding the amount of support, how payments should be made, or how additional expenses should be shared. With our guidance, parents can take steps to ensure that child support orders will be fair, accurate, and enforceable under Illinois law.

The Importance of Child Support in Family Law Cases

Raising a child involves a wide range of expenses, from housing and food to medical care and educational needs. Child support helps to ensure that both parents will share in these responsibilities in a manner that reflects their respective financial circumstances.

Illinois law prioritizes the child's best interests in all child-related decisions made in family court. Financial stability is a key component of this principle. A child support order can help to:

• Maintain the child's standard of living after their parents' separation or divorce.
• Ensure that both parents will contribute fairly to the child's upbringing.
• Prevent one parent from bearing an unfair share of the financial burden.

Illinois Child Support Guidelines

Child support in Illinois is determined using an "income shares" model. The guidelines provided in Illinois law consider the combined income of both parents, dividing child support obligations proportionally, based on each parent's share of their total income.

Tables compiled by the state will be used to calculate a "basic support obligation," and this amount will be divided between the parents using each parent's percentage of the total income. If parenting time is shared more equally—specifically, if each parent has overnight parenting time for at least 146 days per year—the calculations may be adjusted to reflect parents' percentages of parenting time.

Our lawyers can help collect the necessary financial documentation to ensure that child support can be calculated correctly. We can also address any disputes related to income, deductions, or expenses that may affect the final amounts of each parent's child support obligations.

Who Pays Child Support?

Child support is typically paid by the parent who has less parenting time. The other parent will be considered to use their portion of the child support obligation to directly address the costs involved in raising children.

In addition to basic support, courts may order parents to share or divide specific expenses, such as:

• Medical insurance premiums and other medical expenses that may not be covered by insurance
• School fees and supplies, as well as any other educational expenses
• Daycare or after-school care costs during times when a parent is working or pursuing an education
• Extracurricular activity fees and other expenses related to clubs, music lessons, dance classes, or other activities

Enforcement of Child Support Orders

When one parent fails to comply with a child support order as required, the financial impact on the child can be significant. Fortunately, Illinois law provides multiple legal tools for the enforcement of child support obligations. If child support is not being paid as ordered, a parent may pursue enforcement through the courts. Legal remedies for child support enforcement may include:

• Income withholding orders sent directly to a parent's employer
• Seizure of tax refunds
• Liens against property or bank accounts
• Suspension of driver's licenses or professional licenses
• Contempt of court proceedings, which may result in fines or jail time

Our attorneys can assist in filing motions for enforcement. We can present evidence showing that child support has not been paid as required, and we will pursue all available legal avenues to collect past-due support and ensure that a parent will meet their ongoing responsibilities.

Child Support Modifications

As children grow and parents' lives change, child support orders may need to be adjusted. Illinois law may permit the modification of a child support order when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. Some common reasons for requesting a modification include:

• A parent's job loss or other significant changes in the income they earn
• Increased expenses related to the child's education or medical care
• Changes in parenting time schedules
• The incarceration or disability of a parent

To modify a child support order, a parent must file a petition with the court and demonstrate that the change is significant and ongoing. Courts will not retroactively adjust support unless a petition has already been filed, so it is important to act promptly when a change occurs that may affect a parent's ability to pay support as required.

Our family law attorneys help a parent evaluate whether a modification may be warranted. We can prepare the necessary documentation and provide representation during court proceedings, advocating for a fair outcome that will protect our client's financial interests while also ensuring that children's needs will be met.

Contact Our Wheaton, IL Child Support Lawyers

During a family law case, a parent will want to make sure their children will receive the financial support they need. At A. Traub & Associates, our lawyers can help to establish child support orders that are based on Illinois law, and we can also address unpaid child support or request changes when necessary. Contact our Wheaton child support order attorneys by calling 630-426-0196 to schedule a consultation.