(801) 254-9450 Every parent has an obligation to provide for their children, even in situations where they do not have legal custody. Questions of child support can be contentious, but you do not have to handle these issues alone. Whether you are going through a divorce or believe your current support order is unreasonable, you should discuss your options with a Midway child support lawyer. At Carr | Woodall, our dedicated family attorneys could help you navigate this complicated process.
State law has guidelines for calculating child support. These guidelines evaluate the income of the parents and the number of children involved. The process starts by determining each parent’s gross monthly income, which can include wages, salaries, bonuses, and certain benefits. Once the court establishes both incomes, they are combined to determine the total support obligation. The judge then allocates each parent’s share of that obligation based on their percentage of the combined income.
The number of overnights a child spends with each parent also plays a significant role in determining payments. Utah courts use different worksheets depending on whether one parent has primary custody, the parents share custody equally, or there is split custody between multiple children. These worksheets ensure that support reflects both parents’ responsibilities for providing housing, food, clothing, and other essentials. The court may also consider additional factors, such as:
Courts have some discretion to adjust support orders if the standard calculation would be unfair in a specific case. Ultimately, the child support system is designed to balance financial responsibility between parents and ensure children have the resources they need to thrive. A child maintenance lawyer in Midway could answer your questions on how these calculations might work in your case.
Court-ordered child support is not optional, and the court can enforce steep consequences if a parent refuses to comply. Before any enforcement action can occur, it is important to understand what it means to default on a child support obligation.
There is no grace period for child support. If a parent misses a payment—even by a day—they have violated the court order and could face consequences. However, an attorney in Midway could work with your co-parent to resolve child support deficiencies before any legal action is needed if this is a concern for you.
While the court order for your child support is generally final once put in place, that does not mean modifying the arrangement is barred entirely. However, these changes are only possible through the judge issuing a new order, and the court will not lightly modify a child support obligation. In fact, the order will remain in place until one or both parents file a motion with the court requesting a change.
When someone issues a request, the judge considers the best interests of the child. Based on this guidance, the court can increase or decrease monthly payments depending on the circumstances. These changes can be temporary or indefinite. If necessary, our Midway lawyers could help you build a strong case for modifying child maintenance terms.
Child support is an important part of ensuring your child is cared for during a divorce or when co-parenting. If you have questions about how the state might calculate your or your co-parent’s support obligations, contact a Midway child support lawyer today. At Carr | Woodall, we could answer your questions and help you understand your options.