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The monetary payment a noncustodial parent pays to the custodial parent for the children’s everyday living expenses is called child support. While Illinois law may govern some of the guidelines regarding payment amounts, the payment of child support is determined by the court taking into account the best interest of the child. It is not intended to be punishment for the parent that is required to pay support, nor should it be considered a windfall for the parent receiving support. Even though child support payments can sometimes be agreed upon between the parents, having the guidance of an experienced family law attorney can help keep the amount fair. When parents agree, the process is simple. In many cases, they do not or they opt to let the courts decide based on various factors. These usually include the income of the non-custodial, who provides insurance and how much it covers, educational and child care costs, and how much time the child spends living with each parent.
An experts can make a substantial difference in your child support case, especially if high value assets are in play. Accurate valuations of business and personal assets along with accurate income figures are absolutely crucial to a fair result to questions concerning high asset property division, child support or alimony. Our experienced high conflict child support attorneys have access to a vast network of experts, including forensic accountants, real estate appraisers, business valuation specialists and other financial experts, when needed, to position our high asset clients for a favorable outcome.
Our primary goal is always an attempt to negotiate a settlement. If a settlement can be reached, it is more likely to preserve an amicable relationship between the parties involved. If this strategy is successful, it minimizes the emotional stress, as well as significantly reducing the overall financial impact. We believe that cases can be effectively managed if everyone maintains realistic expectations. However, we have the experience and familiarity with all northern Illinois Courts to stand ready to aggressively take your case to trial if other options fail.
If you need legal representation for a high-asset, high profile or high conflict child support case with complex marital estate considerations in the Chicago area, including Cook and Lake counties in Illinois, we are here to help.
Every child support payment order focuses on the best interests of the children involved. Noncustodial parents are not being financially punished, and custodial parents are not receiving excessive monetary gains for their own enrichment. The money is designed to provide an appropriate, healthy, and safe lifestyle for their children.
“The firm helped me through a rough time in my life when I was struggling with inadequate child support payments, which they were able to modify and increase substantially. Mr. Levin also negotiated more time with my son and helped me through a divorce that was very complicated. I couldn’t have selected a better law firm to assist me with my problems. Their staff is always available to help in any way possible. I would highly recommend Joel Levin and Levin & Associates.”
The determination of how much child support payments are depends on various criteria. Our knowledgeable Chicago child support lawyers help you navigate the process and support you through the process of payment negotiations. Besides income and allocation of parenting time, other factors like a child’s special needs are taken into account.
When the noncustodial parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, financial hardship may result. The Illinois legal system seeks to prevent this from happening by charging the nonpayer with contempt, garnishing their wages, placing judgements against property, or even putting them in jail.
If the non-custodial parent fails to meet their support obligations, you need competent and aggressive legal representation to enforce the child support order and protect your rights.
If you find yourself unable to meet your child support obligations, call a child support attorney at Levin & Associates before you are in violation of your child support order. We can help you renegotiate and potentially modify the child support agreement based on changed circumstances such as job loss or other financial hardship.
Changes in your life can happen that may make it very difficult or impossible to meet original child support payment obligations. Perhaps you’ve been laid off from your job, experienced a reduction in your salary or have become injured or seriously ill. It is possible that the child’s needs change over time as well. In cases such as these, requesting a modification of your existing child support order may be required.
These modification requests must include clear and substantial evidence of your inability to meet your support obligations.
If one of these circumstances affects your life, speak with one of our award-winning child support attorneys to assist you in securing the necessary documentation and evidence to prove the need for modification.
We offer confidential case evaluations for all types of family law matters, including establishment, modification and enforcement of child support. Call Levin & Associates at 312-598-0405 today to discuss creating, enforcing, or modifying a child support order with an experienced Chicago child support attorney.
