Fishers, Indiana Child Support Lawyer for Women

As a parent in Indiana, you have certain rights and responsibilities towards your children. One of those responsibilities is to support your child financially.

The most common form of child custody arrangement in Indiana is shared custody, whereby one parent becomes the custodial parent, who the child lives with for the majority of the time, while the other, the non-custodial parent, is awarded visitation rights.

Usually, the non-custodial parent is required to make child support payments to the other. This serves to make the financial cost of bringing up the child more equal.

A child support order is legally binding, so it is essential the outcome supports your needs and the needs of your children. Additionally, child support payments do not disappear, so if payments are missed, they will need to be paid back eventually and even accrue interest.

WSM Today – Providing Dedicated Support to Women in Fishers, IN

At WSM, we believe that our narrow focus on guiding women through family law issues in Indiana and Ohio gives us a unique ability to meet women’s needs. We are deeply attuned to the needs of women and children and are committed to helping them navigate family law matters so that they can move forward with their lives with confidence.

Many women and mothers do not realize that they have powerful constitutional rights. Our Fishers child support attorneys will educate you on your rights and guide you through every step of the process so that you can make decisions from a place of clarity.

No matter your case’s complexity, we have the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to help. Utilizing mediation and litigation, we will do whatever it takes to secure the best possible outcome.

Contact our law office today and arrange a free consultation with a Fishers child support lawyer for women at 380-212-3731.

What Is Child Support?

Child support is a financial obligation placed on one parent. Usually, the non-custodial parent is required to make child support payments to the other parent until their child reaches the age of 19.

When Does Child Support End in Indiana?

In Indiana, child support obligations automatically end when a child turns 19. At 19 years old, the child is “emancipated by operation of law” and is no longer entitled to financial support from their parents.

It is possible for child support to end sooner if the child is emancipated before they turn 19. This occurs if they go on active duty in the US. Military or are no longer under the care of a parent or court-authorized agency. It may also be possible to apply to the court for a child support order to be terminated if all the below statements are true:

• The child is at least 18
• They have not attended secondary or post-secondary school for four months or more
• They are not currently enrolled in secondary or post-secondary education
• The child is financially supporting themselves through employment or has the ability to do so

It is also possible for a child support order to continue past the age of 19. This happens if the child Is considered to be incapacitated, meaning they are not able to be self-sufficient due to a medical condition. If the child has a life-long condition that incapacitates them, then child support may need to be paid indefinitely or until it is ended by the court.

What Can Child Support Pay For in Fishers, IN?

Child support can be used to pay for anything that relates to the child’s upbringing, such as shelter, food, education, clothing, and toys.

Parents must also provide medical care for their child and must provide medical insurance if it is available at a reasonable cost. The cost of medical coverage is considered reasonable if it is 6% or less of the weekly gross income. If medical insurance is not affordable, then the parents will need to pay cash for any medical care that could be required.

It can also be used to cover reasonable costs relating to educational needs such as special or private schools. However, optional activities such as summer camps, school trips, or sporting leagues are not included, and parents are expected to come to a mutual and fair agreement as to how these will be paid for.

How Much Are Child Support Payments?

In Indiana, child support orders are based on state guidelines. Both parents will need to provide information regarding their income and child-related expenses, which will be verified by the court and used to determine how much should be awarded in child support.

The main consideration is each parent’s weekly gross income which includes their wage, overtime, self-employment income, royalty income, bonuses, and any other form of income.

Other considerations include:

• School expenses
• Work-related childcare costs
• How much parenting time has been awarded to each parent
• The number of children the couple share
• Whether either parent already has child support obligations to other children
• Whether one parent has been ordered to pay spousal maintenance
• Health insurance costs for the children

This Indiana child support calculator is a great way to work out what a child support order obligation could look like in your case.

Can I Modify an Existing Child Support Order in Fishers, IN?

Whether you are receiving child support payments and believe that they are insufficient to meet your child’s needs, or you are the obligated parent and can no longer afford your existing order, a child support lawyer can help.

Your attorney can help you file for a child support modification with the court. They will help you provide the necessary evidence for a successful modification. In Indiana, there are two possible justifications for modifying a child support order:

• A Substantial and Material Change in Circumstances – The first possible justification is a substantial and material change in circumstances. For example, perhaps one party named in the order has become ill, lost a job, had another child, or relocated.
• Current Guidelines – The second justification is if the amount that would be awarded under current guidelines differs from the existing order by 20% or more. However, in order to be successful, at least three years must have passed since the first order.

It is important to note that until a modification has been approved by a Judge, the existing order must still be met. Any missed payments will go into arrears and must be paid back.

What if My Ex-Spouse Misses Child Support Payments?

For many women, child support payments are essential for them to meet their child’s needs. If your ex-spouse repeatedly misses payments, then it can be incredibly frustrating.

One of our Fishers child support enforcement lawyers will help you find a resolution. The first thing we may do is reach out to your ex-spouse to give them an opportunity to arrange a payment plan to pay you back what they owe. It is important that they are given a chance to explain themselves before court action is taken, as this helps to protect important family dynamics.

However, if your ex-spouse refuses to cooperate or continues to miss payments, then we will help you file contempt proceedings with the court. Child support payments never disappear, so they will need to pay you what they owe eventually. In order to enforce compliance a Judge may:

• Revoke a professional license, such as a driver’s license
• Garnish their wages
• Seize assets
• Issue fines or a jail sentence

Finding The Best Fishers Child Support Lawyers For Women

A child support order is legally binding; therefore, it is important that a decision is made which supports you and your children. This means finding a good attorney is essential.

Qualities to look for in a Fishers child support lawyer include:

Dedicated Support

Although the best child support attorneys may have a full caseload, they should still be prompt to answer your questions. At Woodford Stahappan McGee, we are proud to provide dedicated support; we will keep you educated and informed throughout your case and will be prompt to answer your questions.

A Local Law Firm

Family law cases are highly personal, so it is important to have a local attorney who you can see regularly. If they are local to you, then they may have also worked with the Judge assigned to your case in the past and will be able to tailor their approach. Our Indiana office is in Indianapolis, and many of our clients come to us from Fishers, IN.

Skills in Both Mediation and Litigation

Mediation has many benefits. It saves time and money on court proceedings, allows for personalized arrangements, and helps protect children from conflict. Therefore, it is important that your attorney is a skilled mediator and is willing to prioritize it where possible.

However, litigation is equally important. If you and your ex-spouse cannot agree, then you may need to attend court hearings. If your attorney is not an experienced litigator, then you could be left vulnerable.

At WSM, all of our attorneys are highly skilled in both mediation and litigation. When you secure representation from us, we will assign an attorney whose experiences are most beneficial to your case. Regardless of the complexity of your case, it is likely that we have worked with someone like you before and have the skills and resources necessary to provide comprehensive support.

A Focus on Family Law

Child support disputes and other family law issues are highly complex. When you find a law firm that is dedicated to family law, it means that all of their professional time is dedicated to developing skills that are relevant to you.

Whether You Like Your Attorney

Family law issues can be highly personal and emotional, and so it is important that you like your attorney and feel supported by them. At Woodford Sathappna McGee, we offer a free consultation so that you will have an opportunity to meet with us before you make a decision.

Indianapolis Child Support Lawyer For Women FAQ