Child Support Attorney In Solana Beach, CA
Providing for your children is a main responsibility for a parent. If you are facing conflict over establishing, receiving, paying, or modifying a child support order, it can leave you worried about being able to financially support your child. A Solana Beach child support lawyer can ensure that child support orders are made accurately and fairly, as well as help in cases where child support is not being paid.
Why Choose Us
The experienced attorneys at Neumann Family Law, A.P.C., know how important child support is for a family. Our staff includes certified family law specialists, and our attorneys have over 70 years of combined experience. Our attorneys can ease your stress over a child support case and ensure your child receives the support they need.
Child Support Cases in California
California child support laws require both parents to provide for their child. A parent or guardian with custody of a child can request child support from the other parent to fulfill their responsibility to the child. There are over 75,000 child support filings annually in California courts, leading to thousands of families receiving financial support.
What Factors Impact Child Support Payments in Solana Beach?
Child support is calculated according to a specific California formula. On average, child support is 11.6% of your income in California. Factors that are included in this calculation are:
- Parental income
- The tax filing status of the parents
- The number of children
- The time each parent spends parenting the child
- Childcare costs
- The child’s health insurance
- Retirement savings
- Union dues
- The amount of child support paid for other children
In some cases, a child support order can include additional costs unique to a child’s needs or require parents to split the cost of certain childcare or healthcare needs.
Consequences for Not Paying Child Support in Solana Beach, CA
Ensuring child support is paid on time and correctly is the responsibility of the parent who owes support. Failing to pay child support can potentially lead to civil penalties such as:
- Interest on the missing child support payment
- Liens on your property
- Wage garnishment
- Frozen bank accounts
- Suspension of your driver’s license
If child support payments are repeatedly missed and your debt grows, there can be more severe penalties as a result of criminal charges. Penalties for criminal charges can increase with repeated offenses. Criminal charges could include:
- Misdemeanor charges: Misdemeanor charges can lead to a fine of up to $2,000 and up to one year in jail for neglecting to provide care for a child.
- Federal Charges: According to the Deadbeat Parents Punishment Act of 1998, owing over $5,000 in child support for over one year could lead to federal charges.
- Felony Charges: If you owe over $10,000 in child support, you can be charged with a felony. Felony charges result in a similar fine of up to $2,000 and up to one year and one day in prison.
Why Should You Hire a Child Support Lawyer?
When establishing or modifying child support orders in Solana Beach, CA, a lawyer can represent you during both negotiations and litigation. A child support lawyer can gather evidence to support how responsibilities can be split between parents and identify who is eligible to receive child support. They can help resolve conflicts between you and the other parent and facilitate negotiations to determine a favorable child support plan.
If you should be receiving child support but the other parent is not complying with the child support order, a lawyer can help hold the other parent accountable and ensure you receive the support you need. A lawyer can file a motion for contempt, which brings the person who owes child support before a judge.
FAQs About Solana Beach, CA Child Support Laws
Do You Still Need to Pay Child Support in Solana Beach if You Were Never Married to the Child’s Parent?
Yes, you must pay child support in Solana Beach even if you were not married to the child’s parent. However, if you are or were not married, the paternity must be established before requesting child support. Your responsibility to provide for your child is the same, regardless of marital status, with penalties for refusing to pay child support.
When Does Child Support End in California?
Typically, child support ends in California when the child turns 18. But if the child is still enrolled in high school full time, then support ends at the time of graduation or when the child turns 19, whichever occurs first. However, other situations may change the end date for child support, such as for a disabled adult child or if parents agree to continue a child support system. Child support also ends if the child dies, joins the military, is emancipated, or gets married.
Can You Stop Your Child’s Parent From Visiting Them if They Didn’t Pay Child Support in Solana Beach?
No, in Solana Beach, you cannot prohibit a parent from visiting their child if they have visitation rights because they did not pay child support. Visitation and child support are separate court orders and are not conditional on the other. Instead, if the parent is not paying child support, you can contact the San Diego County Department of Child Support Services for assistance.
Do You Still Owe Child Support if the Other Parent Moves Out of State?
Yes, regardless of whether parents live in different states, child support orders still apply. California child support orders can be enforced in every U.S. state and territory. If you need to file for child support in an interstate case, you should hire a child support lawyer who can determine interstate jurisdiction and help establish new court orders to reflect the changes in circumstances.
Contact a Solana Beach Child Support Attorney Today
Child support is an essential way for a parent to support their child, even if they are not providing day-to-day care. Families can use child support to cover essential costs of raising a child, allowing children to receive necessary medical care, childcare, and everyday expenses. When establishing child support orders or trying to receive outstanding payments, it can leave a parent feeling stressed and anxious about providing for their child.
If you need help regarding child support orders or payments, a skilled Solana Beach child support lawyer at Neumann Family Law, A.P.C., can establish fair child support orders and help hold parents responsible for providing child support. Contact us today to learn how experienced legal representation can help you navigate a child support case.
*CFLS = Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
