Unwavering Advocacy From Our Indianapolis Child Support Lawyers
Divorce is disruptive. Pursuing a paternity action can be filled with uncertainty. In the midst of these emotional proceedings, child support emerges to protect children. Even when there is a shared commitment to the future happiness of the child, disagreements can arise regarding what is fair or what each party considers realistic for child support payments.
When a family law matter involves children, one of the most important goals is to make sure the children are supported with the resources they need going forward. At Trapp Law, LLC, in Indianapolis, our founding attorney, Angie Trapp, is committed to helping families in Indiana. Our child support lawyers understand the sensitive nature of child support issues and the importance of protecting the best interests of everyone involved. Our firm represents clients in Hamilton, Boone and Hendricks counties and the surrounding communities with matters involving child support.
How Is Child Support Calculated In Indiana?
One inherent challenge in determining what amount of child support is owed is that Indiana’s guidelines strive to enable the child to have the same lifestyle they would have expected if the parents had not divorced. It’s easy to see why there would be such a standard, but application in the real world can be complex.
There’s no getting around the fact that sustaining two households will be costlier than one shared residence. If the parents live in different states after the divorce and the child has been relocated, there can be substantial differences between the cost of living in both states as well as the prevailing wages.
Child support obligations are determined using mathematical formulas, but there is room for the parties to make agreements regarding exceptions to the guidelines used in these calculations, known as deviations.
Indiana’s Three Categories Of Child Support Expenses
The Indiana Child Support Guidelines state that parents raising a child have three categories of expenses. These include:
- Transferred expenses: Transferred expenses are incurred by the parent caring for the child on a specific day.
- Duplicated expenses: Duplicated expenses are incurred by both parents, such as the cost of providing a home.
- Controlled expenses: Controlled expenses are what the parent with physical custody pays, such as clothing, school supplies, personal care expenses and education.
Child support takes into account all of these different expenses and is considered appropriate to use the funds for all of these categories. Child support can be combined with parental earnings to go toward house and utility costs, as well as certain education expenses that arise during the year.
Seeking A Modification Of Child Support
A divorce proceeding determines child support based on the facts and circumstances at that moment in time. However, life after a divorce evolves. An ex-spouse might get a new job, or perhaps a child’s needs change. It is possible to seek a modification of a child support order under certain circumstances. Our experienced child support lawyers can evaluate your situation and help you determine if you are eligible to seek a modification of your child’s support.
Navigating The Indiana Child Support Guidelines
The final ruling regarding child support obligations will be based on the facts presented to the court regarding the situations of each of the parties, their ability to support the child and other matters. It is vital that you understand the implications of the data that is being presented regarding both parties in the divorce and how this will impact the court’s view in calculating child support.
Navigating the guidelines can be quite complicated, and without an experienced child support attorney in Indianapolis, you run the risk of a decision that is not in your best interests. There is no reason to allow this burden to be added to the other stresses and problems that can result from a divorce.
Schedule A Free Consultation With An Indianapolis Child Support Attorney
Our Indianapolis child support lawyers have helped clients throughout central Indiana work their way through the child support payments and guidelines to achieve results that balance the needs of parents as well as children.
We serve clients in Indianapolis, Greenfield, Carmel and beyond. Contact us through our website to schedule a free consultation. You can also reach us by calling our office at 317-668-1230.