Los Angeles Child Support Attorney

Reliable Child Support Solutions in Los Angeles

At the Law Offices of Korol & Velen, we represent men and women throughout the greater Los Angeles area in the negotiation of child support agreements during divorce proceedings, the modification of prior child support orders, and the establishment of child support in paternity actions.

Our team of child support attorneys in Los Angeles can handle your case from start to finish to make sure no detail is overlooked. We believe these issues are simply too important to be handled in any other way.

Understanding Child Support Calculations in California

Child support is usually paid by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent to contribute to the cost of the child’s upbringing. The custodial parent is the parent with whom the child resides the majority of the time. If the child resides an equal amount of time with each parent, the parent with the lower income may still be entitled to child support. Under California child support law, the payment amount is determined under statewide guidelines.

This formula is based on:

• Gross incomes of the parents: The combined gross income of both parents is a primary determinant of child support payments. This includes salaries, wages, commissions, and any other type of income.
• Amount of time the child spends with the non-custodial parent: Time-sharing arrangements significantly impact the calculation, with more time potentially leading to reduced payments.
• Cost of childcare including health insurance: Basic expenses like medical and dental insurance are factored into child support amounts, ensuring comprehensive care.
• Living situations considering other children living with either parent: If the parent has other children to support, this will be considered.

Additionally, California courts may consider special needs of the child, such as ongoing medical care or educational requirements, which might necessitate adjustments to the standard calculations. As laws can be nuanced and subject to interpretation, having a skilled attorney can make a significant difference in ensuring fair assessments.

Whether you are the custodial or non-custodial parent, our Los Angeles child support attorneys offer helpful counsel to make certain that your child’s rights and interests are protected.

Child Support Calculator: https://childsupport.ca.gov/guideline-calculator/

Negotiating Child Support Agreements in California

One of the most amicable ways to create a child support agreement is through negotiation. While the topics of divorce and support are not peace-inducing, the emotional processes behind them become easier if communication from both sides is respected. The children will also benefit from it both emotionally and psychologically. The main components of negotiation include the amount, frequency, and duration of payments. If you are seeking the services of a Los Angeles child support lawyer, we can help move this negotiation process along.

Negotiating effectively can often lead to a more satisfactory outcome for both parties. Our firm emphasizes the importance of collaborative mediation, which can lead to a faster and less adversarial resolution compared to court proceedings. By employing mediation techniques, both parents can maintain a more amicable relationship, which is ultimately beneficial for the children involved. Additionally, detailed financial disclosures during negotiations help ensure that any agreement reached is fair and based on accurate information.

Steps to Modify Child Support in California

In the case of child support modifications, there are several reasons why a child support order might need to be changed, including:

• A change in income or the loss of a job;
• One parent has been incarcerated;
• One parent had another child from another relationship;
• The child is spending more or less time with either parent;
• The child needs more (or less) costs for child care, health care, or education; and
• There have been changes in any of the factors that were used to calculate the original child support amount.

It's vital to approach modifications with the right documentation, including proof of changed circumstances, such as new pay stubs, income tax returns, and records of shared custody arrangements. Engaging with a skilled lawyer can facilitate the understanding of the intricacies involved and help expedite the modification process. Our office assists by providing updated legal counsel and representation to ensure the modified terms align with the client's current financial situation and legal obligations.

Enforcing Child Support Orders in Los Angeles

When a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, it can create financial stress for the custodial parent and negatively impact the child’s well-being. Fortunately, there are legal remedies available to enforce child support payments.

Understanding the full range of enforcement options is important for parents experiencing non-compliance. Besides wage garnishment and tax refund interception, legal measures can include reporting the non-payment to credit bureaus, which can negatively affect the non-compliant parent's credit score. It is also possible to place liens on properties to secure overdue support. Additionally, with the aid of a child support attorney, filing a motion for contempt against the non-paying parent might prompt compliance through court-imposed penalties. Our team's strategic approach ensures a thorough exploration of all legal avenues available to enforce support orders.

Steps to take if child support is not paid:

• Keep records of missed or partial payments.
• Communicate with the other parent (if possible) to understand the issue.
• File a formal complaint with the local child support agency.

Legal actions to enforce child support:

• Wage garnishment: The court can order an employer to deduct child support payments directly from the non-paying parent's paycheck.
• Bank levies: The government can seize funds from the parent's bank account.
• License suspensions: If payments are overdue, the parent's driver's license, business license, or professional license may be suspended.
• Tax refund interception: The state can withhold tax refunds to cover unpaid child support.
• Contempt of court: If the parent refuses to pay, they could face fines or even jail time.

Child Support & Custody Modifications

Changes in a parent's circumstances may require adjustments to child support or custody agreements. California law allows for modifications when there is a significant change in income, employment status, or custody arrangements.

How changes in custody affect child support:

• If a child spends more time with the non-custodial parent, child support payments may be reduced.
• If custody shifts significantly to one parent, they may need additional financial support.

The legal process for modifications:

• File a formal request with the court.
• Provide documentation of income changes, job loss, or increased expenses.
• Attend a hearing if both parents cannot agree on new terms.

Parental relocation and its impact on child support:

• If a parent moves far away, travel expenses may be factored into support calculations.
• A long-distance move may require revisiting custody and visitation arrangements.

Retroactive Child Support in California

In some cases, a parent may owe back child support, especially if paternity was established late or support orders were delayed.

Retroactive support can cover periods before the official establishment of a support order if there is clear evidence that support was warranted. Courts will often require meticulous documentation to substantiate claims, typically considering the best interest of the child. 

When retroactive support applies:

• If child support was not initially ordered but should have been.
• If a parent failed to pay after an informal agreement.

Proving past financial obligations:

• Records of expenses such as medical bills, education costs, and daily child-rearing expenses.
• Documentation of the non-custodial parent's income during the time period in question.

Limitations on retroactive claims:

• California law typically limits back payments to the date the petition was filed.
• Courts may not order retroactive payments beyond three years in some cases.