7 Things You May Not Know About Child Support Laws In Phoenix

Most people think they understand what they need to about child support, but parents are often surprised to find out about some aspects of child support laws that they were previously unaware of. In fact, there are many factors regarding child support laws that a lot of people don’t know unless they have come face-to-face with a child support situation before. If you are going to be impacted by child support laws, you should understand all of the rights and responsibilities that you face before you run into any issues. You can contact Lasiter & Jackson to help you understand your rights and obligations when it comes to paying or receiving support for a child. Here are a few things you should be aware of right away.

1. Child Support Is The Right Of The Child – Child support is not a “right” of the parent who is said to have custody of the child, but the right of the child. Every child has the right to be supported financially by both parents and the amount of the support obligation will be determined by the amount of money each parent makes and in accordance with child support guidelines by the state.
2. Both Parents Have A Child Support Responsibility – The financial responsibility of a child is on both parents. The parent who has more custody and takes care of the common day-to-day expenses of the child is entitled to receive the child support payments from the other parent.
3. Biological Parents Are Responsible For Child Custody Regardless Of The Relationship With The Other Parent– The relationship of the parents does not matter in terms of child support. Child support will be an obligation even if the parents were never married or never lived together.
4. Biological Fathers Can Request Paternity – In some cases, the man may want proof that he is the biological father. A blood test can be ordered to determine paternity and to establish the rights and obligations of the man.
5. Child Support Usually Ends When The Child Turns 18 – However, this is not always the case. If a child marries before the age of 18, voluntarily withdraws from parental control after the age of 16, has a disability or illness, or attends school full-time, child support can either be continued or stopped. The situation would be determined by a judge after he/she reviews the circumstances of the child.
6. Child Support Can Be Garnished – Even parents who volunteer payments may request their portion of the child support obligation to be automatically deducted from their paychecks and given to the other parent. If a parent denies payment, a court order can be established for the payment to legally be garnished from their pay. Parents who disagree about child support payments and any other financial responsibilities should seek legal help right away.
7. Children May Not Be Kept From Parents Regardless Of Child Support Status – Even if a parent has not paid child support, a child cannot be denied access to that parent. The law assumes that it is in the best interest of the child to maintain a relationship with both parents and access to a parent should only be limited if a parent could cause harm to a child. Keeping a child from a parent due to child support can be looked at as a “punishment” to the child and should be avoided.

Professional Legal Counsel Regarding Child Support In Phoenix

If you are facing a custody issue and need help establishing child support or understanding your rights and obligations, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Lasiter & Jackson today in Phoenix!

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