Wednesday, June 29, 2011

When Child Support Falls Short a Broward Child Support Lawyer Can Help

Why should you consult a Broward child support lawyer even if your child support is arriving on time every month? There’s one very good reason for doing so. If you or your ex-spouse’s financial conditions have changed substantially since the child support agreement was entered into, your children may be entitled to more child support. A Broward child support lawyer can help you get the support to which your children are entitled.

In Florida divorce cases, child support is determined by the Florida Child Support Guidelines and based upon the incomes of both parents at the time the child support order is entered into judgment. While financial circumstances of both parents change over time, statistics show that as long as the child support checks keep coming in, few custodial parents ever return to court for modifications to the child support order even when financial situations change drastically. It’s an unfortunate choice, because many times those parents are depriving their children of additional support to which they may be entitled.

The reasons for filing a modification of child support are many, but one of the most common types of child support modification cases involve non-custodial parents seeking to reduce their child support obligation because their income has decreased. Few custodial parents consider the reverse – that when the non-custodial parent’s income increases substantially, their obligation to their children should also increase in proportion. This is especially true if the income of the custodial parent has faced an all-too-common decline after the divorce. A child support lawyer in Broward County can help you determine whether you have a good case for requesting a modification in child support.

According to all the statistics, the income of a non-custodial parent is likely to increase substantially while those of the custodial parent often decline. Despite efforts to even things out with child support orders, custodial parents often face challenges that make it more difficult for them to advance in their careers and take higher-paying positions. Non-custodial parents are not encumbered to the same degree, and usually have an easier time gaining promotions and changing jobs to better their income and benefits. If you’re a custodial parent whose ex-partner has changed jobs or taken a higher-paying position, consult a Broward child support lawyer to find out if your children are entitled to a portion of that increase that could help you better their lives.