Child Support Lawyers Johns Creek, GA
A Child Support Lawyer in Johns Creek, GA, Can Help You Navigate the Difficult Times
If you’re going through divorce proceedings in Johns Creek, GA, where children are involved, a child support order will be a part of the proceedings. It’s hard enough having to deal with the fact that your marriage is ending, alongside any potential asset allocation challenges.
Adding the family separation element of things and what your child(ren) must be going through compounds the difficulty of it all. That’s why you need the best possible legal representation to help you navigate these rough waters.
The Millard Law Firm boasts a team with over four decades of experience and has demonstrated success in helping our clients through a passionate approach. Schedule a consultation with us today to begin talking about your child support case.
The Challenge of Child Support and Custody Matters
Of all the negotiations that form a part of a divorce, the child support and custody element of things tends to present one of the most significant emotional challenges, which, of course, is one of the many things you must deal with.
US census numbers indicate that the total child support agreed to during divorce is received by less than 45% of custodial parents. Of course, The Millard Law Firm is dedicated to ensuring that the ruling is fair and that the full extent of financial support is received.
Regardless of the tough time the parents are going through, the most important thing here is a sense of normalcy and care for children. Our job is to ensure that we adequately handle the legal side of things and provide support where necessary to help you navigate the mental layers.
How Does a Child Support Lawyer in Johns Creek, GA Help Me?
Our job is to ensure that our clients in Johns Creek are thoroughly advised of their options and that a suitable amount of child support is received to care for the children involved.
Sometimes, it’s about something other than receiving or calculating child support. You may require changes based on circumstance differences or even a custody modification.
An experienced, passionate, and competent team of attorneys is here to help you get the best possible outcome.
Is Calculating Child Support Difficult in Georgia?
Georgia courts take several things into account where child support calculations are concerned. These include the parent that will have primary custody, the child’s financial needs, how much each parent earns and the current education level/employment circumstances of each parent.
There are also the matters of special needs that the child may have, assets that form a part of the separation process, etc. There’s a spreadsheet that judges will use to come to a consensus on the amount of support the child will need.
It’s in your best interest to be represented by a child support lawyer familiar with these calculations.
How Hard Is It to Modify a Child Support Agreement to Align with Significant Circumstance Changes?
Once every two years or if there’s a significant circumstance change, Georgia law allows for child support modifications. The need for this kind of proceeding can come from job loss, considerable income increases, etc.
Speak to your attorney to determine the requirements for such a proceeding and if you need an expedited hearing.
Do You Need a Child Support Lawyer in Johns Creek, GA? Schedule a Consultation with the Millard Law Firm Today!
Worrying about child support allocations is tough to handle alongside existing divorce matters. Lean on the support and expertise of The Millard Law Firm, as we are committed to providing the best results for our valued Johns Creek clients.
Schedule a consultation today by calling us at 678-319-9500.
Further Information
Child support is typically calculated by a percentage of both parties’ incomes and other expenses related to the children. If you are currently going through a divorce and have concerns about receiving or paying the correct amount of child support, give us a call. Our Child support attorneys have helped many Johns Creek residents receive a suitable amount of child support.
Child support payments can be arranged by a mutual agreement between the parents however, we advise anyone going through a divorce, legitimation or modification of child support to consider determining child support payments with the help of any attorney.
Child support is calculated differently in every state. In Georgia, a number of factors are taken into account when determining the amount of child support that is in the best interest of the child.
The following points are all factors that allow the judge to determine child support payments:
- If a child has excessive medical expenses
- Income of both parents who will have parenting time with the child or children
- The cost of health insurance and work related day care expenses
Georgia uses the income share method to calculate basic child support. With this model, the court looks at the financial situation of both parents.
Under the income share model, the Georgia courts use economic data to estimate the monthly cost of raising children prior to divorce. The non-custodial parent will pay a percentage of the calculated cost that is based on their proportional share of both parents’ combined income.
Calculating the income or financial situation of the parents can be a daunting task, especially if one or both parents are self-employed or have business interests. In some child support cases custodial parent(s) may request the use of a forensic accountant to uncover any hidden income or calculate income based on expenses of the other party.
The gross income of both parents shall include income of any source, before taxes and deductions, and includes (but is not limited to) the following:
- Salaries
- Commission, fees and tips
- Overtime
- Income self-employment
- Bonuses
- Interest and dividend income
- Disability or retirement benefits
- Alimony
- Unemployment insurance benefits
- Workers compensation benefits
- Assets
- Other income
It is important to have an experienced and competent child support attorney by your side that is familiar with child support calculations.
Child support cases can get quite complex, depending on the gross income of the parents, whether a parent is self employed and other various factors stated above. If you have any doubts about your child support case, contact us. We will fight for you.
Modifications to child support can be made if there has been an increase in expenses concerning the child or if the opposing parent has had an increase in income since the child support payment was last determined by the Georgia courts. If you are struggling to support your children or feel that you are paying too much, reach out to us and we will help you recalculate your child support payment.
Georgia law allows a party to file a modification of child support once every two years or when there is a significant change in circumstances. A significant change in circumstances can include a loss of a job or other income or a significant increase in income through a raise or promotion. If you are paying child support and have suffered a job loss, you may petition the court for a reduction in child support.
You may also ask for an expedited hearing. Unless you request an expedited hearing, you may have to wait months to obtain an order reducing your child support.
You may file a modification of child custody if:
- One parent wants to move out of state or a distance that makes it impractical to follow the current parenting plan
- A parent’s new significant other is causing harm to your child or children
- If a change in jobs allows the non-custodial parent to spend more time with the child.
- If a child over 14 makes an election to spend more time with the non-custodial parent
One reason to request a modification of custody is simply because one of the parents plans to move far enough away from the other parent to make the current parenting plan impractical. In Georgia, there is no law that prohibits one of the parents from moving out of state if they wish to retain custody of their children. Although a Court cannot prevent a parent from moving , a Court is allowed to Order the children stay in Georgia or custody change to the other parent.Just like with child custody, the Georgia courts determine what is in the best interest of the child. If you or the other parent are choosing to move out of state , the courts will evaluate the situation and determine what is in the best interest of the child.
When it comes to visitation and custody modification you should always consult an attorney to help guide you through the process. Our firm has helped many Johns Creek residents modify their custody and visitation rights. Contact us for more information on custody and visitation modification.