Child Support Lawyer In Raleigh Offering Caring Counsel For Your Family Law Matter

Divorce or separation can be complicated, especially when children are involved. One of the most contentious topics for divorcing couples to iron out is the determination of child support payments. If you are facing child support challenges and need legal counsel, be sure to contact the Hopper Law Office for guidance. With more than 30 years of successful legal experience and an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell, our attorney is equipped with the skills and passion necessary to help you get through this difficult time and advocate for a fair resolution for your child support arrangement.

How Child Support Is Calculated

Child support is designed to provide the custodial parent with assistance in paying for the child’s everyday needs. Most often, child support arrangements involve the non-custodial parent paying monthly cash installments to the custodial parent. Determining this amount can be done outside of court with collaboration between the two parents, though tensions from divorce can sometimes make this difficult. If a couple is unable to come to a mutually acceptable agreement, court involvement is required.

North Carolina has specific child support guidelines that determine the amount of child support that will be required from the other parent. This can be a complex process and is not always exact. A chart is used to show how much money is usually spent on children per various combined income levels.

The following factors will be considered in determining child support:

• Each parent’s income
• Parenting schedule
• Amount of days the child spends with each parent

The main factor is that a court will seek to ensure that a child and their custodial parent can maintain the minimum standard of living for their area. This involves examining the child’s unique situation and any special needs they may have, as well as any unusual but necessary expenses. Once a court makes a decision, this order is enforceable by law and will in most cases last until the child reaches the age of eighteen. If a considerable change in circumstances should arise, a modification to this order can be requested, though this is done at the discretion of the courts on a case-by-case basis.

We would be happy to hear from you. Please contact our firm and schedule an initial consultation today: 919-948-5373.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories — legal ability and general ethical standards.