McLean Child Support Attorneys

Compassionate Child Support Lawyers for Parents in McLean, Virginia

When parents separate, they still have an obligation to take care of their children's needs. The role of child support is to ensure that divorced parents fulfill their duties by paying for the child's necessities. If you have any questions about the laws surrounding child support in Virginia, a McLean family law attorney can sit down with you to discuss your issue and possible solutions.

At Salvado Law Offices, we understand how important child support is for ensuring your child's healthy upbringing. We represent parents who owe child support as well as parents receiving support, providing advocacy and legal advice to work toward favorable resolutions.

Who Pays Child Support After a Divorce?

In general, the parent who has a lesser share of physical custody over the child has an obligation to pay child support. If both parents share roughly equal physical custody, the higher-earning parent is usually obligated to pay support.

Once a judge orders a parent to pay child support, it becomes a long-term commitment. A parent is usually responsible for child support payments until the child turns 18 years old or graduates from high school, whichever comes later. Virginia courts do not require that parents pay for child support into college, though parents can still agree to continue paying support to cover expenses related to higher education.

Child support payments may continue into adulthood if the child has a profound disability that stands in the way of their ability to become self-supporting. If you have any questions or concerns about your child support obligations, Salvado Law Offices is here to assist.

When Can Child Support Be Modified?

Although child support is a long-term duty in Virginia, this does not mean that the court order is not flexible. There are some circumstances when a change in payments is warranted, whether temporary or permanent.

A child support modification will only be approved by the courts if you can demonstrate that there has been a material change in circumstances related to your ability to pay or the child's needs. For example, if you become suddenly ill or seriously injured, your ability to make payments on time might be affected.

Similarly, a child's needs may change over time. If a child is diagnosed with a condition that requires regular treatment like diabetes, you could petition for an increase in support payments.

If you decide to pursue a modification, whether an increase or decrease, it is best to handle it through the courts rather than with an informal agreement. This can help protect you from false allegations of violating the support order.

How Can I Enforce a Child Support Order?

Taking care of your child without a support system in place can be stressful. If your co-parent refuses to pay the support that you are entitled to, you can petition the courts to take action.

Judges take delinquent child support payments very seriously. When you file a motion with the court, you should come prepared with documentation showing how many payments your co-parent has missed. If the judge finds that your co-parent has neglected their duty to pay child support, one of several disciplinary actions could be taken. Your co-parent's assets could be seized directly from their paychecks or benefits, and in some cases, your co-parent could even be held in contempt of court, which is punishable by jail time.

Meet With a McLean, VA Child Support Lawyer Today

If you have run into legal difficulties regarding a child support order, Salvado Law Offices is here to assist. Our McLean, VA child support attorneys can help to address your concerns in a court of family law. To schedule an initial consultation today, call our offices at 703-379-9446 or contact us online.