Child Support

Our Child Support Attorneys

With accordance to the law, both parents are obliged to sustain their child’s/children’s needs through financial means. Our lawyers can assist you with all the child concerns you meet. Our child support is comprised of three aspects:

• Fundamental sustenance
• Medical provisions
• Child care assistance

Generally, financial child support lasts until the child reaches the legal age of 18 or the high school graduation, whichever comes later.

Child Support Policy

California uses an algebraic formula to determine what guideline support should be for your child or children. As with all algebra formulas, there are variables that change with each scenario. For instance: What percentage of time do the children spend with each parent? What is the amount of monies each parent receives in the form of income? You get the idea.

Child Support

Under certain circumstances, child support can be mutually agreed upon between the parents or the court will determine the amount of child support to be paid pursuant to the guideline formulas referred to above. We use the same software programs as the courts in order to determine support , Our attorneys are very knowledgeable in helping you obtain the maximum support available or defending you from overpaying support.

Failure to Pay Child Support as Ordered

An untimely payment on a child support becomes a debt that cannot be excused without a court appearance. The following are the consequences for non-payment that follows a court order:

• Invalidation of driver’s license;
• Taking tax refunds for both federal and state;
• Suspension of professional licenses;
• Cancellation or rejection of recreational licenses;
• Rejection or denial of passport;
• Setting a lien on a car;
• A recommendation to a private collection agency;
• Publicity on a consumer reporting agency of non-payment for child support.
• Setting liens on property;
• Freezing bank accounts;
• Adding interest on any past due child support or
• Imprisonment of payer by a court action for non-payment of child support.

Generally, the preceding punishments are carried out after a contempt proceeding.

Modification of Child Support

Once orders concerning child support are given by the court, oftentimes, circumstances change. You may lose your employment or for some reason your employment income is reduced. The child may be spending more time in your care then the original order provides. As life changes, so do the factors used to determine support. Our attorneys meet with you and determine the amount of child support you should be paying or receiving. Oftentimes, our attorneys will immediately file a request for modification and appear in court on your behalf. We have a very successful record in obtaining a favorable result in these types of cases.

DCSS

The Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) was created to help persons obtain child support. Oftentimes, they represent persons who have signed up to receive cash aid benefits. Essentially, one of the primary purposes of DCSS is to obtain money back for the State of California, paid in the form of state benefits for the support of a child. As a government agency, DCSS may employ a number of tactics to enforce payment, including the revocation of your driver’s license, professional licenses, liens against property, etc. Additionally, they provide an attorney to represent the State's interest and not necessarily your interest.

Upon receiving a notice from DCSS please contact our office immediately. Our attorneys can help. You cannot afford to be without this help!

Always a Free Case Evaluation

Have additional questions? Contact The Arnold Law Group today. We offer free case evaluations to all potential clients. Call (559) 439-0900, or complete our free case evaluation form.

If you are considering divorce, child custody, support, adoption contact the Arnold Law Group. We are Fresno Family Law Attorneys committed to your future. We proudly serve the residents of the California Central Valley, including: Fresno, Clovis, Bakersfield, Hanford, Lemoore, Tulare, Visalia, Porterville, Madera, Chowchilla, Oakhurst, Coarsegold, Bass Lake, Merced, Modesto and all surrounding areas.