Child Support Lawyer Kennewick

Child support lawyers negotiate the courts for their clients, offer support, and ensure that the best needs of the child are met. They structure child support payments, determine the terms of child support, organize visitation periods, clarify child support orders, and enforce the terms of custody agreements. A good child support lawyer offers you protection and peace of mind if your ex-spouse attempts to make major changes to your custody agreement, or if they fail to pay custody.

The average cost of a child support attorney ranges between $250-$500 per hour, but these costs can fluctuate even more in uncontested and contested cases. The average uncontested case will charge between $2,500-$5,000, while contested cases can cost $25,000 or more.

Washington State calculates child support via the combined total income of both parents. This amount is then divided between the parents based on each contribution. This percentage is calculated and determined by the courts, who then tell each parent what they have to pay.

You can file a motion with the court in Washington State to adjust and modify an existing child support order. These petitions can be filed online, and there are several options including Washington Forms Online or the personal interview program. After completing the child support and financial info, you can finalize any modification to your child support—pending the input of the courts.

Stepparents in Washington State are legally obligated to support any stepchildren living in their household. This financial obligation typically ends with divorce, as child support payments are the responsibility of the biological parents. Adopted children and other legal situations are exceptions where the parent would have to continue making child support payments.

Some stepparents continue their relationships with their stepchildren even after parental separation, regardless of legal agreements. The emotional caring bonds they have fostered for years endear them to one another, and it’s normal for stepparents and children to spend time with one another after a divorce. Stepparents are no longer legally required to pay child support at this point but may choose to support the children out of lingering familial emotions.

Washington State considers child support orders to be legal obligations enforced by the court. Parents with outstanding child support debts or obligations can be held in contempt, and in some cases, they may be fined or face jail time. A judge might revoke the non-paying parent’s driver’s license or other professional licenses, and Washington can report missing or late payments via consumer reporting agencies, affecting credit scores and making future payments more expensive.

If a parent is having trouble making payments, they can get ahead of the problem and seek a modification to their child support order. While only a judge can agree to this modification and change the amount owed, the entire process can be simplified by consulting with a Family Law attorney.

Late child support payments can be recovered by speaking with the other parent and reaching an amicable solution out of court, which should be inexpensive and painless. In some situations, it might not be possible to speak with the other parent, but there is a grace period for late payments. After this grace period has ended, the DCS might seek payments via wage garnishment or other means. Wage garnishment is painful, and this court-ordered method of debt collection can make things even more difficult for the non-paying parent. Restitution might also be sought via property liens, refund interception, revoking licenses, and contempt of court.

Several factors can affect child support payments. While child support payments may come through after the DCS takes action, the process can take longer than a month if there are no assets, there is no support order, if the other parent doesn’t have money, or if the other parent lives in a different state.

Winning a child support cause doesn’t automatically mean you will receive the payments. These factors must be resolved with the non-custodial parent.

Any child can express their desire to live with either parent, but legal considerations must be made if they are under 18.

The judge will consider the best needs of the child first in all situations, even if the child expresses their desire to live with the other parent. If the child is older, the judge might consider what they want, especially if they are turning 18 soon. Washington State’s governing custody law maintains that no child can make their own unilateral decisions before the age of 18.

A social worker may be appointed by the judge, who will work with the child directly and find out their preferences without parental influence. The social worker will study the child’s behaviors and living situation while allowing the child to avoid testifying in front of their parents. This gives the judge a better idea of the relationship with each parent, as well as their living situation. Social workers will gather information such as mental health, school location, environment, financial stability, housing, and more to decide which residence is best for the child.

After the child turns 18 and becomes a legal adult, they can choose where they want to live. Children emancipated before the age of 18 are also free to choose their homes. Before the age of 18, Washington State and the courts do not believe that a child can make fully informed decisions. The courts and the judge will consider all relevant factors to the child’s wishes before the age of majority.