Jackson Child Support Lawyer
The child support lawyers at the Law Offices of Andrew Sorrentino, PLLC in Jackson, Mississippi can help you seek the child support your child is entitled to receive. In general, the noncustodial parent pays child support to the custodial parent to provide financial support for the shelter, food, and other needs of the child. The law requires that every parent support their children financially.
Under Mississippi law, parents are required to support their children based on Mississippi child support guidelines. Guidelines are determined based on the noncustodial parent’s adjusted gross income. The percentage of adjusted gross income that must be paid for child support will depend upon how many children you have. If you have one child, you’ll be expected to pay 14% of your adjusted gross income. If you have 2 children, you’ll be expected to pay 20%. And if you have three children, you’ll be expected to pay 22%. For every additional child you have, the child support guidelines add an additional 2% of adjusted gross income.
Yet even though these guidelines are rather clear, issues can arise if the noncustodial parent fails to report accurately or honestly his or her adjusted gross income. Parents are also required to provide medical support for their children, and this support may also be considered when determining a child support award. Other considerations can also complicate child support awards or result in either the noncustodial or custodial parent seeking additional support or petitioning the court for a lower support amount.
The child support determination made when you get divorced or separated can affect your family for years to come. A child support lawyer in Jackson, Mississippi at the Law Offices of Andrew Sorrentino, PLLC can help you seek a child support award that is accurate and fair. If your former partner or your child’s noncustodial parent refuses to pay child support, the child support attorneys at the Law Offices of Andrew Sorrentino, PLLC may be able to help you collect unpaid child support.
Issues that Can Arise in Child Support
While child support guidelines determine the percentage of a non-custodial parent’s adjusted gross income that must be paid in child support, issues can arise in a child support case that can complicate how clear-cut the child support award might be. In these instances, the custodial or non-custodial parent may need to fight for a fair child support award in court or negotiate the child support settlement outside of court. Let’s explore some of these concerns below:
- Inaccurate Adjusted Gross Income. Adjusted gross income must be reported based on all sources from which the non-custodial parent may be able to receive income. This can include income from wages, salary, self-employment, commissions, investments, dividends, interests, and trusts. Workers’ compensation, unemployment, and retirement benefits can also be included in income. Issues can arise if the non-custodial parent has a complex financial situation, or if the non-custodial parent has used creative accounting measures to limit the amount of money he or she appears to have. In some cases, custodial parents have had to hire forensic accountants and other specialists to investigate adjusted gross income to ensure it is accurate.
- Additional Considerations. Child support awards can also be modified or adjusted from the recommendations if certain situations apply. For example, if a child has extraordinary educational, medical, psychological, or dental expenses, child support amounts may be modified to ensure that both parents properly support their children. If the children have their own independent income through a trust or other means, this might also impact a child support award. If the non-custodial or custodial parent has seasonal employment, this could affect how and when child support payments are made.
- The Shared Parenting Arrangement. The shared parenting arrangement could also potentially impact the child support award. For example, if parents agree to a shared custody arrangement where the children divide their time more evenly between parents, child support amounts may be reduced or adjusted, especially if both parents will be providing financial support to the children during parenting time. This can get complicated, however, if a parent opts for a split custody arrangement to reduce his or her child support obligation and then fails to take the children for his or her allotted time. In these situations, a parent may require a modification of the child support agreement especially if the parent can show the court that the parent isn’t honoring the parenting plan or support agreement.
These are just some of the issues that can arise with child support awards. If a parent refuses to pay child support, the custodial parent may have options and remedies under the law when it comes to seeking child support or garnishing child support payments. Situations can also change which may require modifications to child support awards. If you have questions about child support and need help determining a fair child support award, reach out to the child support attorneys in Jackson, Mississippi at the Law Offices of Andrew Sorrentino, PLLC today.
Our Jackson Child Support Lawyers will provide the best possible legal advice to both the father and mother of the child undergoing a custody battle. Call us at 601-695-7765 to set up a consultation.
A Jackson, Mississippi Child Support Attorney on Your Side
Whether you are a parent seeking child support from a parent who refuses to pay, or if you are going through a divorce or separation and want to negotiate or litigate a child support award that is fair to your children, the Jackson, Mississippi child support lawyers at the Law Offices of Andrew Sorrentino, PLLC are here to help. We can review your situation and help you understand your rights and obligations under the law. We work with clients outside the courtroom through negotiation and help clients litigate child support when they cannot reach an agreement outside of court.
Child support is one issue that can complicate a divorce or separation. Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate the child support question alone. Reach out to the child support attorneys in Jackson, Mississippi at the Law Offices of Andrew Sorrentino, PLLC today to learn more about your rights and options under the law.