Woburn Child Support Attorneys

Child support is a simple idea: the "non-custodial" parent (the parent the child doesn't live with) in a divorce must financially compensate the custodial parent to offset the costs of caring and raising for a child. It is not punitive, nor does child support represent any criticism or judgement of a parent's quality. The questions at the core of any child support hearing are simple: how much does it cost to raise the child, and how much more money is one spouse likely to spend on parenting than the other spouse?

In Massachusetts, the court may order the non-custodial parent to pay a percentage of their income to support their child(ren). However, every case is different, and regardless of what your situation may be, it is vital to have an experienced attorney on your side. At Miller Law Group, P.C., our Woburn child support lawyers are dedicated to helping clients achieve the desired outcome for their child support case. We know that family law can be complex; we guide our clients through the process, take time to thoroughly understand what they need, and develop a strategy to fulfill their most important goals.

If you need legal assistance with your child support case, contact our Woburn child support attorneys today for a free case review at (888) 874-2142!

How Does Massachusetts Family Law Courts Determine Child Support?

Determining the right amount of child support can be difficult because there are many different factors considered. For parents with equal custody, the courts will use the same child support formula twice, once based on each parent. The court will take the difference between both results and determine the amount to be paid to the parent with fewer financial resources.

The court will consider the following factors when calculating support payments:

• Parenting time
• Each parent’s income
• Estimated cost of childcare
• Extraordinary medical expenses
• Extracurricular activities
• Relationship to alimony
• Additional revenue (such as commissions, bonuses, etc.)
• Health insurance coverage
• Number of children

The court's highest priority is always the best interests of the child(ren) in question. Child support should be enough to ensure that the children are afforded the same standard of living as before and receive the same educational and enrichment opportunities. This ensures that a child has zero reason to favor a parent for being the higher-earning spouse. It, however, should not be abused or used to provide the custodial parent with anything more—that's what spousal support is for.

Modifying Child Support

If you’re unhappy with your current child support arrangement, there are ways for you to seek a change to the existing court order with the help of an attorney. You can request a modification if the amount would be different if it were recalculated using the current standards, if health insurance costs changed, or if you were subjected to any other substantial change. A change could include a pay cut, temporary job loss, or your former spouse getting a better job with higher salary.

Call (888) 874-2142 for a Free & Confidential Consultation

Our Woburn child support attorneys are dedicated to helping clients find solutions in their child support cases. Our team meets each week to discuss the details in your case to develop a strong approach. We always work toward obtaining a fair agreement through negotiations while keeping your best interest in mind. Regardless of how complex your case may be, our team is ready to help you every step of the way.

Call our Woburn child support attorneys today for a free case review at (888) 874-2142!