Lafayette Child Support Lawyer

Lafayette Child Support Attorney

Situations involving children and families often get emotional, which can sometimes lead to irrational decision-making. Consulting a third party when making important decisions about your family’s future can help take strong feelings out of the equation and encourage level-headed choices. A Lafayette child support lawyer can help parents determine what support they need to make sure their children are taken care of.

Helping Families Navigate Their Future

Eric S. Neumann, Attorney at Law, has significant experience working with families in a variety of situations. He has provided support for parents, children, and individuals by helping them with divorce, child custody, child support, and other forms of family law. His dedication to transparency and communication leads to positive results for his clients so that they have all the information they need to determine what their future might look like.

What Is Child Support?

Child support is used to make sure that children are taken care of by both parents. In most situations, the custodial parent who is primarily in charge of taking care of the children receives payments from the non-custodial parent. There are some rare instances in which both parents make payments.

The amount of money that goes into child support payments can vary significantly. The payments are determined using the amount of money both parents make and how many children are in the family. The exact amount specified in the guidelines is mainly used as an aid to calculate payments. Exact payment amounts can be altered according to different family situations.

Either parent can initiate the child support process by filing a Child Support Order. After filing this order, the court schedules a hearing to get more information from the parents. The ultimate decision on how much is owed in child support is determined by the judge. If the amount needs to be changed in the future due to the parents’ circumstances, a parent can ask for a review of the order at least three years after the initial decision was made.

Why Do I Need an Attorney?

Initiating child support can be overwhelming, especially if it is accompanied by divorce. An attorney can help a child support case in many different ways, including:

• Filing Paperwork Accurately: It is important to file child support paperwork correctly while making the initial request. This is because parents cannot modify the agreement for three years after the initial order is made. An attorney can make sure all relevant information is considered during a child support request so that the decision is fair and accurate.
• Negotiating Issues Outside of Child Support: While child support is helpful to make sure that children are being taken care of, it does not cover every part of a child’s needs. Working with a lawyer can make sure a contingency plan is in place to cover unexpected expenses, like schooling and medical costs and insurance coverage. Negotiating things like tax deductions early can prevent lengthy arguments in the future.
• Enforcement: Unfortunately, some parents attempt to avoid paying child support. Louisiana has an official government office for enforcing child support payments, but navigating it can be difficult without the help of a legal professional. An attorney can help find parents, determine whether potential parents are legitimate, and gather child support payments.
• Modifications: Child support agreements can be less effective if one or both parents experience significant life or income changes. If you qualify for a child support modification, an attorney can help walk you through the process. An attorney can also help oppose potential changes to child support that are unfair to the non-custodial parent.
• Representation: If your child support situation in Lafayette must be resolved in court, an attorney can represent you. They can make sure your needs are appropriately heard in court so that a judge can make a decision that takes your situation into account.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does Louisiana Charge for Child Support?

A: How much Louisiana charges for child support can vary significantly depending on the adjusted monthly gross income of both parents and how many children they have. Louisiana has guidelines that outline how much a parent might expect to pay in child support. To ensure they’re compliant with federal law and make sense for Louisiana families, they are reviewed every four years when the child support committee makes a report to the Legislature.

Q: How Does Child Support Court Work in Louisiana?

A: If someone is eligible for child support, they can request a support order from the court. Once the application is received, there will be an initial hearing scheduled by the Office of Family Support. In this hearing, a judge collects more information about your family situation to determine how much the non-custodial parent might owe in child support. After the hearing, the judge will deliver an order that outlines the details of that family’s child support requirements.

Q: What Does Child Support Pay for in Louisiana?

A: Child support is meant to pay for children’s basic living expenses like food, housing, clothing, and other necessities. In certain cases, non-custodial parents might be responsible for the children’s medical expenses as well. The specific amount depends on the family’s situation, including their combined income and how many kids are in the family. To understand how much you might owe or receive in child support, contact a family law attorney.

Q: Who Pays Attorney Fees in Child Support Cases in Louisiana?

A: In most cases, each party pays for their own attorney fees in a child support case. There are certain situations in which a court can order one party to pay for the other’s attorney fees, but this is somewhat rare. An attorney can help you correctly file a child support order and represent you in a child support hearing. To learn more about how much a child support case might cost, contact an attorney directly.

Experienced Attorney for the Acadiana Region

It’s important for parents to establish a fair child support order. Seeking legal counsel before starting the process can help you learn what to expect and make sure the paperwork is filed correctly. Schedule a consultation with Eric S. Neumann, Attorney at Law, for a personalized review of your family’s situation.