5 Fundamentals to Know About Child Support in Arizona

    If you are going through a divorce, or if you are the parent of a child whose parents are no longer together, then you need to know about child support in Arizona. The laws related to child support can be complex, and it is important to understand how they will apply to your situation. In this article, we will discuss five of the most important things that you need to know about child support in Arizona.

The Most Important Things to Know About Child Support in Arizona

    If you are a parent going through a divorce in Arizona, or if you are already divorced and were never married to the other parent, you may be wondering how child support works in our state. Here are five fundamentals to know about child support in Arizona:

1.  The Guidelines

    The Arizona Supreme Court has adopted child support guidelines that are used to determine the amount of child support that should be paid. The amount of child support is based on the income of both parents, as well as the number of children involved. The amount of child support can also be affected by other factors, such as whether or not the custodial parent has remarried. If you have any questions about how the child support guidelines will apply to your situation, you should speak with an experienced family law attorney.

2. The Needed Information to Calculate Child Support

    To calculate child support, both parents will need to provide certain information, such as their income and the number of children they have. This information will be used to fill out a worksheet that is available on the Arizona Supreme Court website. Once the worksheet is completed, it will give you an idea of how much child support should be paid. If one parent does not want to provide this information, a court can order them to do so. If a parent still refuses to provide this information, a judge can hold them in contempt of court. Child support can also be ordered by the court if one parent has been unemployed or underemployed. In these cases, the court will look at the parent’s earning potential, rather than their actual income. This is done to make sure that the child is still being provided for. If you have any questions about how your income will be calculated for child support purposes, you should speak with an experienced family law attorney.

3. Enforcing Child Support Orders

    If a parent does not pay child support, there are a few different ways that the order can be enforced. One way is through wage withholding, which means that the amount of child support owed will be taken out of the paying parent’s paycheck. Another way to enforce a child support order is by intercepting federal and state tax refunds. The money can also be taken from lottery winnings, workers’ compensation benefits, and unemployment benefits. If you are having trouble collecting child support from the other parent, you should speak with an experienced family law attorney.

4. Modifying Child Support Orders

    Child support orders can be modified if there is a change in circumstances. For example, if the paying parent loses their job, they may be able to have the child support order lowered. If the custodial parent gets a significant raise, they can have the child support order increased. If you want to modify a child support order, you will need to file a petition with the court and show that there has been a change in circumstances. Once the petition is filed, a hearing will be scheduled so that both sides can present their evidence and argue their case. If you are thinking about modifying your child support order, you should speak with an experienced family law attorney.

5. Child Support Termination

    Child support will typically terminate when the child turns 18 years old unless the child is still attending high school. If the child is still in high school, then child support will continue until they graduate or turn 19 years old, whichever comes first. Child support can also be ordered to continue if the child has a special need. If you have any questions about how long you will be responsible for paying child support, you should speak with an experienced family law attorney.

    If you have any more questions that need to clarify about child support in Arizona, please do not hesitate to call us today. We are here to help you and your family get through this difficult time. Our experienced attorneys will be happy to answer any of your questions and guide you through the process.

Are You Looking for a Family Law Attorney You Can Trust?

The attorneys at GillespieShields are well-versed in a variety of different legal fields, ranging from family law to civil suits, employment disputes and probate cases. Although we specialize in several areas of practice, our greatest passion is family law. We believe in giving families peace of mind no matter their situation, and we fight hard to maintain that peace. Whether you’re filing for dissolution or divorce, determining custody of your children, or thinking about adopting children, our experienced attorneys are here to help you every step of the way.  During our private, one-on-one consultation, we’ll take the necessary time to answer all of our questions surrounding Arizona’s family laws, your family’s unique situation, and the possible court outcomes. Contact us today for your consultation!

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