Child support can become complicated when parents are unsure what factors affect the calculation or what happens when financial situations change. Our child support lawyers in Harrisburg, PA can help you understand how Pennsylvania law applies to your family’s specific circumstances.
How Support Is Calculated
When parents face a divorce case, child custody and child support are often a part of the legal process. Pennsylvania courts consider a variety of factors to calculate support, including:
- The parents’ net incomes and earning abilities. Income can come from employment, self-employment, bonuses, commissions, investment sources, and other forms of compensation.
- Other financial assets, such as savings accounts, investment accounts, real estate, or other valuable property
- The number of children involved
- The amount of time each parent spends with the children
In addition to basic support obligations, Pennsylvania support orders can address expenses related to childcare and health insurance costs. Extraordinary expenses may also be considered, such as ongoing treatment for a medical condition, specialized therapy, private education, or tutoring services.
Modification and Enforcement
Child support orders are not necessarily permanent. A parent can request a modification to the support order if there have been significant changes in financial or personal circumstances.
For example, a parent may lose their job, take a significant pay cut, or begin earning substantially more income. A child may also begin spending more time with one parent, resulting in a different custody arrangement from the one in place when the support order was entered.
If your circumstances have changed, it is important to seek a modification as soon as possible. Until a court changes the support order, the existing amount generally remains in effect, even if you are struggling to make the payments.
High-Income and Self-Employed Parents
Child support can become more complicated when a parent owns a business or does not receive the same amount of income each month. For example, a business owner might pay themselves a salary while also receiving money from the business in other ways.
These issues can become even more complex when the parents have substantial income or disagree about how much money is actually available for child support. A detailed analysis of each parent’s finances may be needed to accurately determine their income and earning capacity.
Child Support FAQs
Can Child Support Be Ordered If a Parent Is Unemployed?
Child support can still be ordered if a parent is unemployed. Pennsylvania courts may consider a parent’s earning capacity, rather than their current income, if the parent fails to obtain or maintain appropriate employment.
Can Unpaid Child Support Be Enforced?
Unpaid child support can be enforced by the court in various ways, such as increasing the monthly payment to help pay off overdue support, withholding money from wages or benefits, placing liens on property, or starting contempt proceedings.
Does Remarriage Affect Child Support?
Remarriage does not automatically affect a child support obligation. The financial circumstances of the parents and other relevant facts determine how a change in family circumstances may affect support.
Learn How Support Matters Are Handled From an Experienced Child Support Attorney in Pennsylvania
At Mette Attorneys at Law, we understand that child support matters can be stressful and overwhelming, especially when your family’s financial circumstances are unique. Our team helps parents throughout Harrisburg and Pennsylvania protect their interests while navigating child support and modification cases. Contact us today online or by calling 717-232-5000 to discuss your child support concerns with our child support attorneys in Pennsylvania.