Greensboro Child Support Lawyer

Experienced Legal Guidance for Child Support Issues in North Carolina

At Roupas Law Firm, our experienced team of family law attorneys is dedicated to helping clients navigate the complex and often emotional aspects of child support matters. Our goal is to provide you with the knowledge and support you need to ensure the best possible outcome for your child. If you're in Greensboro and require assistance with child support issues, we are here to help.

Call Roupas Law Firm today at (336) 850-5525 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our child support attorney in Greensboro!

What is Child Support?

Child support is a legal obligation that ensures both parents contribute financially to the well-being of their children, even when they are not living together. It is a crucial aspect of family law that prioritizes the best interests of the child. The purpose of child support is to cover the expenses associated with raising a child, including but not limited to:

• Basic needs: Food, clothing, and shelter.
• Educational expenses: School fees, books, and supplies.
• Medical care: Health insurance, doctor visits, and medications.
• Childcare costs: Daycare or babysitting services.

Child support aims to guarantee that children's financial needs are met, maintaining their standard of living and helping to reduce the economic disparities between households in which children reside.

How is Child Support Calculated in North Carolina?

Child support calculations in North Carolina are based on a formula outlined in the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines. The primary factors considered in the calculation include:

• Income of both parents: The gross income of both parents is considered. This includes not only wages but also any other source of income, such as self-employment, rental income, or unemployment benefits.
• Number of children: The number of children for whom support is sought will affect the calculation.
• Custody arrangement: The custody arrangement plays a significant role in determining child support. If one parent has primary custody (custodial parent) and the other has visitation rights (non-custodial parent), the non-custodial parent typically pays child support. The percentage of overnights the child spends with each parent can also impact the amount of support required.
• Healthcare and child care expenses: The cost of health insurance, extraordinary medical expenses, and childcare costs are factored in.
• Educational expenses: If applicable, expenses related to private school or special needs education may be included.

Once these factors are considered, the North Carolina Child Support Guidelines use a predefined formula to determine the amount of child support that should be paid. It's worth noting that child support orders can be modified in certain circumstances, such as a significant change in income or custody arrangements.

What Age Do You Stop Paying Child Support?

Child support typically continues until the child reaches the age of majority, which is 18 in North Carolina. However, child support may extend beyond this age in certain situations, including:

• Post-secondary education: If a child is still in high school or enrolled in a college or vocational program, child support may continue until the child graduates, turns 20, or becomes self-supporting, whichever occurs first.
• Emancipation: Child support may end if the child becomes legally emancipated before turning 18.
• Mutual agreement: Parents can agree to extend child support beyond the age of majority in a written agreement.

It is essential to understand that child support termination dates may vary depending on the specific circumstances of your case. It's advisable to consult with an experienced child support lawyer to ensure your child's financial needs are met while complying with North Carolina's legal requirements.

Modifying a North Carolina Child Support Agreement

Life can throw changes at us, and sometimes, those changes render the original terms of the support agreement obsolete. That C-level executive in Greensboro might have been downsized out of a job and is now earning significantly less income. Or the middle-class person got a big promotion, saw a business take off, or otherwise started enjoying a lot more disposable income. Either of these circumstances, along with anything else that impacted the original agreement, can be grounds for seeking modification.

The changes used as the basis for requesting modification must still be significant, and they must be considered likely to last for an extended period. A judge is the final arbiter of this. Ex-spouses must never depart from the terms of their original agreement until a judge signs off on the modification request. Even if the ex-spouses are on reasonably good terms—even if the one receiving the support payments understands the need for a smaller amount—the right course of action is still to let the modification process play itself out simply. And we're here to help in that regard.