Milton Child Support Lawyer
Trying to figure out the right amount of child support to meet your family’s needs can be tricky. The state’s child support guidelines set a standard for determining payment amounts, but understanding which laws apply to your case requires the knowledge and dedication of a family law attorney.
A Milton child support lawyer can help determine both parents’ incomes as well as other costs and expenses related to raising their kids. Gathering relevant information to advocate for your child’s best interests is crucial to reaching an outcome that meets your family’s needs.
Calculating Support Payments
To determine an appropriate amount for child support, a Milton attorney uses a child support calculator provided in Official Code of Georgia Annotated §19-6-15. The two main items entered in the calculator are both parents’ gross incomes and the number of children in question. Based on the information entered, the calculator computes an estimation for an appropriate amount of child support.
Gross income includes any earnings from a parent’s job, overtime work, rental properties, disability, unemployment, self-employment, annuities, and bonuses before tax deductions. Children included in the calculations must be under 18 years of age or not yet graduated from high school.
The gross incomes can be adjusted if there are factors such as self-employment or preexisting support orders. Evaluating financial circumstances to determine either party’s caring capacity and ability to meet financial obligations can be made easier with the help of a Milton child support attorney.
Important Considerations
Discerning an appropriate support amount takes more consideration than a calculation based on gross income and number of children. The following factors may also influence the final support amount:
- Costs associated with the child’s medical, dental, vision, and therapy needs;
- Expenses related to the child’s extracurricular activities;
- Costs associated with the child’s insurance; and
- Educational expenses.
Additionally, how much time a parent spends with their child can impact a support order. For example, a parent who has more time with their kids typically has higher child-raising costs and may require more support from the other party.
Regardless of your circumstances, a child support lawyer in Milton can help you identify an amount that adequately meets your children’s needs. However, the decision would ultimately fall under the tribunal’s discretion. State law requires local judges to uphold children’s best interests in every child support decision.
Get in Touch with a Milton Child Support Attorney Today
Having attention to detail and collecting the correct information are two advantages an attorney from our firm can bring to the table. A skilled Milton child support lawyer can take the time to review all relevant financial records, request specific documents from the other party, and determine what additional information is necessary to reach a result that fulfills your family’s needs.
Do not feel like you have to go through this legal process alone. Reach out to our intake team to schedule a consultation so you can learn more about the legal options that may be available to you.
