Child Support in Norfolk Virginia
Norfolk VA Child Support Lawyers – Family Law Attorneys
When a couple is having marital difficulties the knee-jerk reaction can be to start thinking about filing for divorce, but there is a great deal to consider before making such a huge decision. If you don’t have any children, it is a lot simpler, but the mutual emotional investment that has been made in the marriage is something that is not to be discarded without a great deal of soul searching. There are also matters of the division of shared property to consider, as well as the difference that each partner may experience in their quality of life when they are no longer sharing resources. However, when there are children involved, the process of divorce takes on an added level of intricacy.
The first thing that needs to be agreed upon is child custody, and if the couple does agree about who should have custody of the children, the non-custodial parent is going to have to pay child support. In many instances the couple can agree to an equitable child support arrangement without asking the court to decide. Should the case go before a judge, Virginia divorce courts have guidelines that they use to determine the amount of child support that is appropriate. Both parents are legally expected to share the financial responsibilities that accompany raising a child, so the total amount necessary will be determined and the non-custodial parent will be required to may his or her fair share of that amount based on the comparative earnings of the two individuals.
Child support is something that can be adjusted over time. The financial situation of the former partners is usually going to change over the years, and the needs of the children may increase as they get older, or in the event of some sort of unexpected circumstance or medical issue. It is worthwhile to point out the fact the child support payments are not tax deductible. Should you have difficulty getting your former spouse to make his or her child support payment, contact the Division of Support Enforcement which is an adjunct of the Department of Social Services.
