Child Support Lawyer

The child support attorneys at Foxtrot Family Law help parents:

• Understand child support guidelines

• Negotiate child support through mediation

• Litigate child support issues

• Enforce child support orders

• Modify child support orders

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Contact us today for a free consultation regarding your child support case.

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How Child Support is Calculated

Child support is generally calculated based upon a set of guidelines prescribed by the court. The calculation takes into account how much each spouse’s earning capacity is, the cost of any health insurance, the cost of child care, and other reasonable and necessary costs associated with the health, education, and welfare of the child. Though there are guidelines, child support is not a set formula. An experienced child support attorney can help ensure that child support is fair.

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When does child support start?

Child support may start before the court makes a final determination on child support or enters a final divorce decree. Temporary child support may be ordered until the parties have an opportunity to discover all of the facts necessary to present their arguments to the court and before a final ruling on child support is made.

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Can child support be backdated?

Child support is not backdated, but a court has the power to take any prior lack of support into account when awarding future child support or compensation.

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Who does child support arrears go to?

Past due child support can be collected and is paid to the person (custodial parent, for example) to whom it was originally due.

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Child Support Calculator

The child support guidelines give a basic framework for calculating child support, but total child support may take into account other costs, expenses, income, and case-specific facts. Our experienced child support attorneys can help ensure that a child support calculation and order takes into account all of the facts and circumstances unique to each case so that child support is fair.

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What Child Support Covers

What is child support designed to cover?

Child support covers the costs associated with the health, education, and welfare of the child. There may be other expenses or costs contained in a child support order other than direct child support payments.

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Is child support part of alimony?

Child support and alimony are two separate things. Neither is a part of the other.

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What Child Support Does Not Cover

Child support does not cover costs and expenses which were not reasonably foreseeable, anticipated, or expected when child support was awarded. These costs and expenses may result in a material change in circumstances that would necessitate a child support modification. Our child support attorneys regularly give advice and represent parties involved in child support modification.

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When Child Support Ends

Will child support automatically stop at 18?

Child support does not automatically end at 18. Child support may end at 19 years of age, the age of majority in Alabama, unless the court orders otherwise. Child support is governed by a court order.

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Can you receive child support for college students?

The court may order the payment of some or all of the expenses related to a college education. Our experienced child support attorneys routinely deal with such claims and can ensure that the necessary terms and conditions are included and that the ultimate order is fair.

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Child Support Enforcement & Modifications

What is child support enforcement?

Child support orders can be enforced by the courts. A failure to pay child support could result in action by the District Attorney.

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Financial Child Support FAQs

Are child support payments taxable?

Generally, child support payments are not taxable as income to the recipient.

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Are child support payments included in gross income?

Generally, child support payments are not included in the gross income of the recipient.

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Are child support payments tax deductible?

Generally, child support payments are not tax deductible.

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Our knowledgeable and experienced child support lawyers regularly represent clients in Guntersville, Huntsville, Arab, Scottsboro, Decatur, Athens, and Cullman.

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