Navigating child support in Montgomery, Alabama can be complex and controversial, especially when you go through a divorce. There are state laws you need to adhere to. As a parent, you might be wondering how long should you pay or receive child support in the state. Whether you are the one receiving support or getting support, you must understand your child support obligation’s duration.
To ensure you comply with applicable laws and that the financial needs of your child are met, work with a skilled divorce attorney at The Harris Firm. The right attorney will help you avoid making mistakes that can compromise your parental rights.
Understanding Child Support
Parents are obliged to give their children financial support. The financial support issue mainly comes up if the parents are no longer in relationships. Child support is meant to make sure the financial needs of the child are met. It is not intended to be used for the custodial parent’s expenses.
The state has guidelines to determine the amount of child support a non-custodial parent should pay. The income-shares model is used by the courts when calculating child support. This guarantees the fairness and consistency of child support. Thus, they will combine both parents’ income and estimate the expected amount the child would get if their parents were still living together and divide the amount proportionally according to the income of every parent.
Child Support Duration
Generally, child support in the state ends when the child turns 19. But under some circumstances, this support is stopped before this age. This can happen when the child gets married before 19, the paying parent gets sole physical child custody, the child gets legal emancipation before 19, the child dies, the child joins the military, and the paying parent can prove that the child can already support themselves. But there are times when parents may still be obliged to give financial support to the child after 19 years old. This is possible if the child suffers from a disability and requires support once they become an adult.
Child Support Order Modification
Family situations can change. A parent requests a child support order modification if they go through a significant change in their circumstances. But this parent must provide the court with proof of the permanency of this change and its impact on the child support amount under the guidelines. A modification may be possible if the parent who is paying support lost their job or got a new job that has a higher salary. Other instances are when there is a permanent change in the parenting time every parent gets, if the child’s needs have significantly changed, and if one parent has suffered a permanent disability. Under state law, a modification can be justified if there is a difference of at least 10 percent between the current child support order and the new support calculation. But parents must keep in mind that the support order won’t be automatically changed just because the difference meets such variation.
While child support obligations often end once the child becomes 19 years old, some situations can impact the payment duration. Parents must be aware of their legal rights and responsibilities and hire a skilled family attorney to make sure they comply with the law. As parents work together, they can offer their children a stable and supportive environment for them to grow up in. The best attorney to work with has given comprehensive legal representation that fits the needs of their clients for several years. They will help you understand your legal problems and the way the law may impact your case.
