Since 1910, when the first child support laws were federally recognized, the United States government has placed a considerable focus on ensuring that non-custodial parents make some form of payments to the parent that is the sole custodian. New Mexico is no different. When going through the child support process there are a number of factors that the court system considers before they make a final determination of your payment amount. In addition, there are circumstances that can cause your payments to change drastically over the course of the child’s youth. In this article, you will learn more about how child support is calculated and when it’s best to contact a lawyer in Albuquerque to provide counsel as well as defense.
What Factors Are Considered When Calculating Child Support
From income to amount of time spent having physical custody of the child, there is a lot of information that is examined before a final number and payment schedule is reached. Listed below, is a list of the most common facts that the child support enforcement division takes into account.
- Number of Children
- Gross monthly income of non-custodial parent
- Cost of family insurance paid by non-custodial parent
- Gross monthly income of custodial parent
- Cost of insurance paid by custodial parent
- Child care and daycare cost
This list is not exhaustive as there are special circumstances that need to be individually examined. If you are not sure of how to move forward with your specific case, it is best to contact a family lawyer in Albuquerque before anything is finalized.
Can Child Support Payments Change?
Child support payments can absolutely change. Some factors that can influence a change include an increase or decrease in income, injury, illness, etc. If your child support payments have been increased to an amount that is unaffordable, reach out to a local expert of family law in Albuquerque. It can be a frustrating process to navigate the legal system on your own. In addition, it is imperative that you continue paying the child support amount requested until the matter is resolved, or you could face criminal charges. In addition, if you do have a substantial increase in income, it is advised that you report it the the child support enforcement division as soon as you can. Elsewise, you may be liable for hefty back payments and potential fines.
When Should I Contact An Attorney?
If you have recently fallen behind on your child support payments and/or have experienced a major financial setback, it will be advantageous for you to contact lawyer in Albuquerque that has experience with petitioning the courts to ask for a reduction in payments. In addition, if you are the custodial parent and have not been receiving payments in full or on time, a profesional of family law will be able to take the appropriate steps to receive the money or successfully litigate your vase in front of a judge. Remember, the state and federal government see child support as a natural right of any child, not the parent, thus all decisions will be made in the child’s best interest. Most child support cases do not require a lawyer, however, if you are facing charges, haven’t received payments or are in need of relief, it is best to seek professional legal help.
