Child Support

FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY

Phoenix Child Support Lawyer

Child support can quickly become complicated by different logistical and financial factors in each parent’s life.

In most cases, the parent with primary custody will receive child support payments. If either the mother or father is going to have the kids five days a week, they will generally bear the bulk of the monetary costs, including things like clothes, food and toys.

Child Support Calculations in Arizona

The Arizona Child Support Guidelines dictates the income share calculation methodology used to determine appropriate levels of child support. The methodology takes into consideration each parent’s role as well as their income.

Life changes often necessitate the modification of existing child support agreements. Either parent can petition for a child support modification order. Some of the reasons the court may assent to modification include:

• An existing lack of directives regarding medical support or changes to either parent’s existing health care coverage for their children
• Children either aging into adulthood or emancipating
• Significant changes in income (except in some cases where the drop in income is voluntary)
• Changing childcare costs
• Either parent having additional children
• There’s a change in parenting time/child custody arrangements
• The noncustodial parent becomes incarcerated
• One of the parents becomes disabled   

The types of life changes that the court will accept as justification for child support modification isn’t always completely clear to parents. It’s important to keep in mind that even if your financial situation changes you will continue to owe your normal child support until your modification petition is successful.