Child Support Lawyer Eagle County, CO
Child support can definitely make a divorce even more complicated. There is still a lot of confusion about child support laws. Here are some common myths a child support lawyer in Eagle County, CO doesn’t want you to believe.
- The father always pays child support. This is one of the most common misconceptions about child support. While this may have been true many years ago, it isn’t the case today. Judges tend to look at different factors before deciding who should pay child support, like each parent’s income. If the mother makes a higher salary than the father, the mother may be ordered to pay child support.
- Child support payments end at 18. Many people also assume that a parent no longer has to make child support payments once the child turns 18. However, this isn’t always true. Certain circumstances can make a parent responsible for paying support after a child turns 18. For example, if a parent agreed to pay for a child’s college, he or she may be ordered to pay child support longer.
- Child support orders are final. As long as it’s approved by the court, a child support order can be modified. If a parent, for example, loses a job and can’t keep up with the payments, the judge may reduce the payments. If you need to get your child support order modified, you should consult a child support lawyer in Eagle County, CO.
- If you don’t pay child support, you can’t see your child. Parents are prohibited from withholding visitation if they don’t receive child support payments. If your ex is trying to keep you from seeing your child because you haven’t paid child support, you should talk to your lawyer.
- Child support payments are tax deductible. Another common myth people believe about child support payments is that you can deduct them when filing taxes. However, you actually aren’t allowed to do this.
- It’s fine to make an informal agreement about child support. Some parents don’t want to deal with the court, so they try to make a verbal agreement. While this might sound like a good idea at first, you must remember that it’s not legally binding. If one parent decides not to pay child support anymore, the court will not be able to force the parent to pay. That is why it is best to have an enforceable agreement with the court.
At Zweig Law PC, Attorneys at Law we know that child support can be confusing. Whether you’re receiving child support from your former partner or you’re paying child support to your former partner, you may have questions about your rights and responsibilities. This is especially true if you’re currently divorcing or separating and you’re trying to iron out your child support order.
The legal team at Zweig Law PC, Attorneys at Law is very familiar with the types of problems and concerns that parents have when they’re dealing with child support orders. For 30 years, we have been helping families in the Eagle County area with child support, child custody, divorce, and a variety of other family law issues. If you are looking for a child support lawyer in Eagle County, CO, contact us today to set up a consultation with our team.
Child Support Modifications
It’s common for parents to modify existing child support orders when one parent’s financial situation changes. Loss of employment, medical emergencies, new children, and job changes are all possible reasons for either increasing or decreasing child support. In most cases, the parents will have to appear in court and present their case for a modification to a judge. This applies to both temporary and permanent modifications, and it still applies even if the parents agree on the modification.
Enforcing Child Support Orders
It’s an unfortunate fact that some parents do not take their responsibilities seriously toward their children. If you are the custodial parent and you’re having trouble collecting child support from your former partner, you may want to call a child support lawyer in Eagle County, CO from Zweig Law PC, Attorneys at Law for help. It can be very difficult to collect child support from an uncooperative parent, but this is where you can turn to the family court system for assistance. There are several ways that the court can enforce compliance with a child support order or penalize a parent for failing to comply. In many cases, the court allows a child support agency to garnish the parent’s wages and send that money directly to the custodial parent. The court might also put out a warrant for the parent’s arrest or might revoke any professional licenses they have.
Taxes and Child Support
If you were previously married to your child’s other parent, you’ll already know that having a child can drastically change the amount of taxes you have to pay and the number of deductions you can claim. Regardless of whether or not you were married, however, you likely have additional questions about whether you can deduct child support payments on your taxes. Many parents also want to know if they can claim their children as dependents for tax purposes. A child support lawyer can help you understand how your own situation may affect your taxes and may be able to refer you to a financial adviser if you need additional help.
Contact a Child Support Lawyer in Eagle County, CO
Child support isn’t just a one-time issue — it’s likely something that you’ll be reviewing and revisiting for years to come. Whether you’re preparing for court for the first time or you’re fixing a recurring problem in your child support order, know that a child support lawyer from Zweig Law PC, Attorneys at Law may be able to help. Call us today so that we can help you get the outcome you are looking for.