Resolving Child Support Concerns
Child support limits the financial impact of divorce or separation on children. You may wonder about the details. Are there offsets if you pay for childcare or health insurance? Who claims the child tax credit each year? Having a child support order in place can avoid fights about money in the future when there is spousal disagreement about who should pay child support and how much.
Brett K. Duncan & Co. is a Hammond-based law office that represents clients facing child support issues throughout the area, including Tangipahoa Parish and Livingston Parish. We will fight to ensure that you receive or pay a fair amount of child support. We work to resolve cases in a cost-conscious and efficient manner.
We can help you with your child support case. Call us for a consultation at 800-725-6413.
How Is Child Support Determined?
Louisiana uses child support guidelines to help determine child support. Deviations from the guidelines are uncommon, so it is important to ensure that the income figures used are correct. If a former spouse or girlfriend/boyfriend is self-employed, this is not always easy. We can help you obtain accurate information.
Gross income is used to calculate child support and includes salary, wages, commissions, bonuses and workers’ compensation benefits, as well as federal benefits such as Social Security or unemployment compensation. This is not a complete list, but shows the broad definition of income. The following factors are also considered:
- Childcare expenses: Childcare is sometimes needed because of work or a job search.
- Healthcare insurance: The cost of coverage will affect the basic child support obligation.
A child support order can also address who will pay for extracurricular activities and private school tuition. Deciding who will claim the child tax credit is another way to avoid a yearly disagreement. Our Hammond, LA, child support attorney can explain what you should expect and walk you through the process. We can also explain how custody affects support.
Louisiana Child Support FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions parents have about child support.
Can child support be modified after the initial order?
Yes. Child support orders can be modified when there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the original order was entered. Common reasons for seeking a modification include:
- An increase or decrease in either parent’s income
- Job loss or a change in employment status
- Changes in the child’s medical, educational or childcare needs
- A substantial change in custody or parenting time arrangements
- A parent becoming disabled or unable to work
Our attorney can review your situation and determine whether a modification request may be appropriate under Louisiana law. Seeking a modification through the court is important because informal agreements between parents are not legally enforceable.
What happens if my ex does not pay child support?
Failure to pay child support can result in serious legal consequences. If a parent falls behind on court-ordered payments, Louisiana courts and state agencies have several enforcement tools available. These may include:
- Wage garnishment
- Seizure of tax refunds
- Suspension of driver’s or professional licenses
- Referral of delinquent payments to credit agencies
- Contempt of court proceedings
We help parents pursue enforcement actions when support payments are not being made and work to help ensure children receive the financial support they are entitled to under the law.
At what age does child support end in Louisiana?
In most cases, child support in Louisiana ends when a child reaches 18 years of age. However, there are exceptions. Support may continue if the child is still enrolled full-time in secondary school, has not reached age 19 and remains dependent on either parent.
Additional circumstances involving a child with certain disabilities may also affect the duration of support obligations. Because every family situation is different, it is important to review the specific court order and applicable Louisiana laws.
What expenses does child support cover?
Child support is intended to help cover the ordinary costs associated with raising a child. These expenses commonly include:
- Food and groceries
- Housing and utilities
- Clothing
- Transportation
- Basic educational expenses
- Routine healthcare needs
Depending on the circumstances, additional costs, such as health insurance premiums, uninsured medical expenses, daycare, extracurricular activities or special educational needs, may also be addressed through the support order. Our lawyer can explain how these expenses may be handled in your particular case.
Contact Brett K. Duncan For More Information
Our experienced Tangipahoa Parish lawyer can answer your child support questions. We also assist with visitation and if you need to establish paternity. Call us at 800-725-6413 or email us through our online form to schedule an initial consultation.