On behalf of The Law Office of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A.
Divorce isn’t just the separation of two people. If there are children involved then they are deeply affected by the divorce too. Breaking up your marriage also means asking your children to adapt to a new way of life. This is totally doable if you and your partner are willing to continue to work together in a civil way. Unfortunately, not all parents breaking up can work together. Sometimes the reason why they are breaking up is that they can’t do anything but fight with each other. Our Fort Lauderdale child support attorney at The Law Office Of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A. has helped families bridge their differences in order to come up with a plan that works best for them and their families.
Understanding Child Support
Child support is the right of the child, not the custodial parent. Child support is a way to ensure that the children in the event of a divorce are getting his or her needs met. The best way for the courts to make sure that children are getting their needs met is to charge child support. Many times the amount of child support provided does not cover all the needs necessary for the children. Here are five things every divorcing couple should understand about child support:
- Child support covers the basics: food and nourishment, housing, clothing, some medical expenses, some education costs, and some extracurricular activities. Child support does not cover private school or college expenses or some medical treatments like braces. Children need more than just the basics when they are growing up. Sometimes a child needs certain material goods to feel included in their social circles. That isn’t covered in child support. The parents may have to work something out together for big purchases like technology.
- The court calculates child support payments. You can use a calculator here to check and see what your future payments may look like. The court can adjust the kind of amount of child support depending on the situation of the parents.
- Child support is no longer just one parent’s responsibility. Depending on how often the children see each parent, each parent can see their children and still have to pay child support. Again, child support is the right of the child and goes to the child and not to the parent.
- Child support is an ongoing process. There is not stopping payment unless your situation has drastically changed. However, even if you lose your job you must work an arrangement out with the court.
- If you fail to pay child support there are severe consequences. There are fees you will have to pay and the potential for jail time. Not paying is a serious offense and you should always be open in communication with the court if you cannot afford to pay.
If you need help during the child support part of your divorce or post-divorce, we are here for you. Call 954-297-6546 or click here to start your free consultation with our professional attorneys at The Law Office Of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A. in Fort Lauderdale today.
