Divorces can be incredibly emotionally intense and sensitive, and when there are children involved, these cases can be even more difficult to deal with. Everyone wants a smooth transition for their child when their day-to-day life is changing. It can be scary to appear before a judge, especially when it pertains to your child’s future. When it comes to supporting your child’s future, securing the right legal representation is essential to ensuring their well-being and securing a fair agreement.

Do not handle such a major element of your life on your own. Our dedicated team of family attorneys has decades of experience representing parents. We are committed to providing personalized legal services that protect your rights and the best interests of your child. A knowledgeable Erlanger child support lawyer at our firm could share their deep understanding of local child support guidelines and develop a tailored legal strategy to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

Understanding the Basics of Child Support

Child support is a court-ordered obligation for one or both parents to provide financial support for raising their children after a separation or divorce. The purpose is to ensure that a minor’s needs are met, including food, shelter, clothing, education, healthcare, and other necessities. To get child support, a parent or another individual must file a case in front of the court. Judges often order child support in cases concerning divorce, paternity, and custody.

Financial assistance typically continues until the child reaches the age of 18 or graduates from high school—whichever occurs first. If the child is mentally or physically disabled and requires ongoing support, child support may continue beyond the age of 18. Our Erlanger child maintenance attorneys have years of experience with financial support cases and could provide guidance through the legal process.

The Role of Local Laws

In Kentucky, a judge will determine custody and the support of minors based on what is best for them. Local law is designed to ensure that both parents contribute financially to their child’s upbringing. Since 1990, the commonwealth has utilized a formula to calculate child support based on the income of both parents and other relevant factors, taking into account:

Gross Income

These include the parents’ wages, salaries, bonuses, overtime pay, commissions, and other sources of money.

Adjusted Gross Income

Certain deductions, such as pre-existing child support obligations and mandatory retirement contributions, may be subtracted from each parent’s gross income to arrive at an adjusted gross income.

Basic Child Support Obligation

The commonwealth uses a child support chart to determine the basic obligation based on the combined adjusted gross incomes of the parents and the number of kids involved in the case.

Apportioning Child Support

The basic obligation is divided between the parents according to their respective incomes and contributions to the family’s finances. Their share of the support obligation is proportionate to their income.

Additional Expenses

The formula used to calculate child support in the commonwealth may also account for other costs, such as:

  • Health insurance premiums
  • Work-related childcare costs
  • Medical expenses not covered by insurance

These expenses are generally divided between the parents according to their respective incomes.

Adjustments for Shared Parenting

In cases of shared physical custody, the court may adjust the child support amount based on the time each parent spends with the child as well as other factors.

Unique circumstances can also affect a judge’s decision. A lawyer in Erlanger could ensure that child support calculations are accurately in compliance with commonwealth laws.

Enlist the Help of an Erlanger Child Support Attorney Today

Child support can be contentious and stressful to deal with. Children are often the ones who suffer the most from arguments over who will support them and how they will be supported. The legal professionals at our firm have decades of experience handling cases like yours. A seasoned Erlanger child support lawyer at Busald Funk Zevely could aggressively get the best resolution for you and your family. Contact us today to get started.

Busald Funk Zevely PSC

Busald Funk Zevely PSC
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