Salt Lake City Child Support Attorney
When two people have a child and decide not to live together as a family unit, the law often requires the non-custodial parent to pay child support payments to the custodial parent. Child support payments are intended to help the custodial parent with the costs associated with raising a child, including those related to medical care, insurance, and child care.
Child support disputes can be acrimonious and complicated and the outcome can have a significant impact on your financial situation. Consequently, anyone involved in a child custody dispute should discuss their options with an experienced divorce attorney as soon as possible. A Salt Lake City Child Support attorney can also assist you if you are facing other family law matters, including:
- domestic violence,
- spousal support/alimony,
- child custody agreements,
- if your child needs juvenile defense representation
Child Support Determinations In Utah
Utah law requires child support to be calculated using an income shares formula that has been established by the state legislature. This calculation uses each parent’s gross income levels and other factors to establish a presumptive amount that the non-custodial parent will pay to the custodial parent. A family court may modify the amount determined by the guidelines if a parent can establish that the adhering to the presumptive amount would be unjust, inappropriate, or not in the best interests of the child.
If income is imputed to a parent, the income shall be based upon employment potential and probable earnings as derived from employment opportunities, work history, occupation qualifications, and prevailing earnings for persons of similar backgrounds in the community . . . U.C.A. §78B-12-203(7)(b). If a parent has no recent work history or their occupation is unknown, income shall be imputed at least at the federal minimum wage for a 40-hour workweek…U.C.A. §78B-12-203(7)(c).
How Can A Child Support Attorney Help Me?
There are many ways in which the representation and counsel of Salt Lake City child support attorney can help people with legal issues related to child support. Some of the more common include the following:
- Argue a party is voluntarily underemployed or unemployed and their income should be imputed to an amount they are capable of earning.
- Argue to the court that the amount of child support ordered should be changed from the presumptive amount.
- Determine if you are eligible to file a petition to modify or motion to modify an existing child support order
- Help you establish a substantial change in circumstances that would justify a modification to an existing child support order.
- Help you with issues related to collecting child support that is in arrears.
Contact Salt Lake City Law Office CoilLaw
Anyone who is involved in a child support dispute or who believes that one may arise should contact an experienced divorce attorney as soon as possible. The amount of child support that you pay or receive can affect your and your child’s quality of life, so it is important to ensure that you obtain the best outcome to your child support issue as possible. To ensure the protection of your future and your family call CoilLaw, an experienced Utah family law attorney today at 801-884-3775.
