Child Support - A Legal And Moral Obligation
Moral and legal obligation
I hope that we can all agree that every parent owes an obligation to support their children. Legally, we are required to provide care and support from the time they are born until they attain maturity or adulthood, in most states, when they turn eighteen. Morally, many parents feel an obligation to do whatever is necessary to give their child(ren) some form of aid well into adulthood. Although in the majority of cases, when we speak in terms of the child support obligation, there may appear to be a greater financial burden of the parent who does not live with the children; however, according to the law, both parents owe a duty to support a child.
Understanding child support
Each parent's obligation to support their children is quantified in financial terms. Legally, the obligation exists, even if the parties have not gone to court and obtained a formal order to pay child support. Child support obligation begins accruing from the day the child is born, not the day that the parties get an agreement from the court. The child support order merely hammers out the details such as:
- The amount of child support owed
- Establishes a schedule of periodic payments
- Sets up potential contempt penalties used to enforce child support orders
Our goal here is to attempt to explain important guidelines for negotiating Child support in a divorce. North Carolina has established formulas for the determination of child support. However, a number of elements are open to interpretation, and often require the attention of a skilled child support attorney.
Child support is for the children and not for the other parent
It is very common for a paying parent to become upset over the idea of paying money to the other parent after the relationship is over. It is important that you remember that the money you are paying is meant to support your children, and that is something that you should feel good about. On the other hand, if you are the parent receiving support, you also need to remember that the payments are to be for the benefit of the children. Under the advice of your lawyer, you can agree to exchange your income information on a yearly or periodic basis, and have the court review whether child support needs to be adjusted. This is important if you have a dramatic change in income, or you lose your job.
Charlotte’s top Family Law Attorneys
When it comes to family law, the legal process can seem intimidating and overwhelming. The outcome of your case will have a significant effect on the rest of your life. You need a lawyer who takes this seriously, and who will work diligently for favorable results. You need a Charlotte law firm that has the skills, resources, and knowledge to handle complex legal matters; ranging from criminal defense to family law. Charlotte Family Law Attorneys at Plumides, Romano, Johnson & Cacheris, PC, has a history of serving the community for more than 50 years, and has a reputation for hard work and success. They also handle personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. Call them today to speak to a lawyer that has decades of experience, and who understands how the law applies to your specific situation.