Visalia Child Support Lawyer

Visalia Child Support Attorney

Going through a divorce and figuring out parenting time is hard enough without the added stress of figuring out child support. While California laws have guidance to help calculate it for the parents, there can still be issues to iron out. A Visalia child support lawyer understands how difficult this time can be and is here to help you navigate it every step of the way.

How We Can Help

With over 23 years of experience, we have advised a wide variety of families through the child support process. We are mindful of the needs of your child, along with yours.

There are a few moving parts to child support cases besides just calculating child support. We are able to help you establish paternity and help you analyze not only income and parenting time but also other expenses, like healthcare costs. We are skilled at guiding you through every detail so that you don’t have to face the complex legal system alone.

Carlos Navarrete isn’t afraid to stand up for your rights as a parent. He can negotiate and work on your behalf to benefit both you and your child.

How Child Support Works in California

Around 86% of parents who have a child support agreement in place received payments, which is why it’s important to have one. The following steps can help you get an idea of how it works, but a child support lawyer can explain them in further detail and guide you through each one in real time.

1. One parent enrolls in child support services or opens a child support case. If you already have an order in place, then child support services can help hold each parent accountable.
2. Both parents need to be located.
3. The parent being contacted for child support will receive a summons and child support packet. From this point, you’ll have 30 days to respond, or a judge might make a default child support decision.
4. If there’s any question about who the father is, then paternity must be established. Usually, this requires a DNA or blood test.
5. A stipulated agreement is made between both parents.
6. If no agreement can be made, then the courts will get involved. A judge will review the appropriate financial information and make a final decision.

Afterward, the parents will be responsible for paying their portion, and if they don’t, the court might get involved to help enforce payment. Having a child support lawyer on your side for all of these steps can ease your experience and help make sure that your rights and your child’s needs are met.

Hire a Child Support Lawyer

The child support lawyer’s main job is to help you manage your case. Because child support is usually tied to the other pieces of family law, it can become complex fast. If you hire a child support lawyer, they’ll be able to help you stay organized and approach this difficult legal time with confidence.

A child support attorney in Visalia, CA can perform many functions. The most important of which is to make sure that the child support calculations are accurate and fair, but they are also able to:

• Analyze finances. A lawyer can evaluate both parents’ incomes, parenting time percentages, and other expenses, like healthcare and education.
• Ensure financial forms are filled out and turned in on time. After gathering the necessary documentation, a child support attorney can fill out the forms and make sure they are filed on time.
• Initiate legal procedures. Sometimes, the other parent isn’t voluntarily releasing certain financial documents. A lawyer can initiate something called discovery, which requests or subpoenas those documents.
• Advocate for you. A child support lawyer is skilled at negotiating on your behalf and works hard to reach a fair settlement out of court.
• Represent you in court. If going to court is necessary, the lawyer can prepare a solid argument on your behalf.
• Request modifications. If something significant changes in your income or other circumstances, then a child support lawyer can help you make modifications to the child support agreement.
• Enforce the child support agreement. If the other parent hasn’t been paying their agreed-upon amount, then a lawyer can fight on your behalf to make sure that they are held accountable.

Hiring a child support lawyer is crucial to getting fair representation and to protecting your rights as a parent.

FAQs About Visalia, CA Child Support Lawyer

How Much Does a Child Support Lawyer Cost in California?

How much a child support lawyer costs depends on many different factors. The factors include the complexity of the child support case, the location, and the lawyer’s reputation and experience level. Along with that, the fee structure varies between lawyers. Some offer a fixed fee, an hourly rate, or a retainer fee. To get a better idea about how much your particular case might cost, contact a Visalia child support attorney today.

Who Pays Child Support?

In California, both parents have equal responsibility to help support their child financially. Each parent’s income is a factor that helps to determine who pays how much. The court will look at not only wages, but salaries, bonuses, unemployment or disability benefits, commissions, and earnings from self-employment. The second major factor is how much time each parent spends with the child. The court uses a specific formula to determine child support responsibilities.

Do I Need a Lawyer for Child Support in California?

While you don’t need a lawyer for child support in California, having one on your side can make a world of difference. Not only can they help explain the complicated legal system, but they can also guide you through child support laws and help you negotiate for the optimal outcome. They can also represent you at the Visalia Child Support & Enforcement Office on West Doe Avenue. If you have an especially complicated case, a lawyer might be necessary.

When Do I Stop Paying Child Support?

You stop paying child support when the child becomes a legal adult, which is either when they finish high school or turn 19, whichever happens first. If your child is incapacitated in some way, then you might need to pay into a child support special needs trust after they are an adult. Other reasons paying child support might end could be if the child emancipates, enters into military service, or gets married.

Contact Carlos Navarrete Law Firm

Carlos Navarrete has over 23 years of experience working in family law. He understands how overwhelming the child support process can be and is here to help you navigate the entire process. We can help you and your co-parent figure out what is in the best interest of your child and your family.

Contact Carlos Navarrete Law Firm today to schedule a consultation.