Behind on Child Support? How a Sarasota Family Law Attorney Can Help You
Paying child support is a fact of life for many parents, and Florida courts are serious about ensuring those ordered to pay meet their obligations. All individuals who are ordered to pay are typically assigned a monthly amount according to a means-based formula that is intended to make payment obligations consistent for each parent. The problem is that this is generally based on income, and working parents sometimes see interruptions in employment that could impact the court-ordered child support payment amount. Of course, those who get seriously delinquent on child support payments could find themselves facing a potential criminal charge when they willfully avoid paying. Conversely, those who are up front with the court are typically given some amount of leniency. But it is still important to have effective legal counsel from the Sarasota family law lawyers near you at the Law Offices of Matthew Z. Martell located in Lakewood Ranch, FL and also Sarasota, FL and when you are needing to request a child support payment modification.
Re-evaluating Child Support Payment Amounts
Child support payment assignments can be based on multiple factors that include your amount of monthly income and the number of children that a particular couple has together. High income earners can be assigned an additional percentage ranging upwards from 5% for one child to 12.5% for as many as six. There are also special provisions for low-wage earners that establish a minimum amount in most instances. Normally, this is Florida minimum wage at full time employment for 40 hours per week. For example, when an individual with a relatively high earning level becomes unemployed quickly, then he or she is normally imputed minimum wage at 40 hour per week at the child support enforcement or modification hearing. So, it will not eliminate the child support obligation, but it can reduce the amount significantly when the new numbers are calculated. It should be noted that it is unclear if this practice will be continued in the Sarasota, Bradenton, and Venice courts due to job loss related to coronavirus. Speculating, the courts may impute just such a person’s monthly unemployment compensation instead.
What a Sarasota Family Law Attorney Can Do
Determining an accurate child support payment amount can require validation of claimed income levels or documentation of a layoff, such as filing an unemployment claim. Having an experienced child support attorney means that Child Support Enforcement will usually not be quick to prosecute over a delinquency, and that all requirements and allowances are provided in making a final ruling on a child support reduction. Those who find themselves returning back in a significant earning situation can then expect to see their obligations returned to normal levels.
Don’t wait until it is too late to deal with your child support delinquency problem
Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice, Florida residents who are delinquent on their child support payments should contact the Sarasota family law lawyers at the Law Offices of Matthew Z. Martell with offices near you in Lakewood Ranch, FL and also Sarasota FL for comprehensive legal counsel and advice regarding your child support problem. Please contact us today at (941) 556-7020 for help and legal representation.
