When it comes to child support in Arizona, there are a lot of misconceptions floating around. Some people believe that child support is only for wealthy parents, or that it is automatically awarded in every divorce case. In reality, child support can be quite complex, and several factors go into determining how much someone will pay or receive. In this article, we will dispel some of the most common misconceptions about child support in Arizona.

Misconceptions About Child Support In Arizona Debunked

    If you are going through a divorce or are already divorced and have children, you may be wondering how child support works in Arizona. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about child support. Here are five of the most common misconceptions about child support in Arizona, debunked:

1. Fathers are required by law to pay child support.

    This is a common misconception, but it is not always the case. In Arizona, child support is based on many actors, including each parent’s income, the amount of time each parent spends with the child, and the child’s needs. Fathers are not automatically required to pay child support. Instead, courts will consider several factors to determine how much child support should be paid. These include each parent’s income and the amount of time each parent spends with the child. Additionally, courts will also take into account the specific needs of the child when deciding on child support payments. In some cases, mothers may be required to pay child support instead of fathers. This usually happens when mothers have primary custody of their children and fathers have limited visitation rights.

2. Even though your former spouse marries someone with a considerably higher income, your child support expenditures will not go down.

    The child support you pay is based on your income, not your former spouse’s. If your former spouse marries someone with a higher income, that will not affect the amount of child support you are required to pay. This is one of the most common misconceptions about child support in Arizona. Many people think that if their former spouse remarries someone with a higher income, they will no longer have to pay as much in child support. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The amount of child support you owe is based on your income, not your former spouse’s. Therefore, even if your former spouse remarries someone with a significantly higher income, you will still be responsible for paying the same amount in child support.

3. I’m going to jail, and I won’t be able to work. My child support obligation will be stopped.

    This is a common misconception, but it is not true. If you are unable to pay your child support because you are in jail, your child support obligation will continue to accrue. You may be able to work out a payment plan with the other parent or the court once you are released from jail, but your child support obligation will not be automatically stopped just because you are incarcerated. If you have any questions about your child support obligation, please contact an experienced family law attorney in Arizona. An attorney can help explain how child support works and can help ensure that you are meeting your obligations.

4. I’ve just been laid off from my job and I can’t ask for a change in my child support order for a year since it was placed last month.

    You can always ask for a change in your child support order, regardless of how long it has been since the order was put in place. The reason why many people think this is because they are under the impression that once an order is set, it cannot be changed. However, this is not true. If your circumstances have changed, you can always request a modification to your child support order. Keep in mind, however, that the court will only approve a modification if there has been a significant change in circumstances. For example, if you’ve lost your job and are now unemployed, the court is likely to approve a modification to your child support order. But if you’ve simply had a decrease in income, the court is unlikely to approve a modification.

5. When the two of you agree on a child support amount, the Judge must accept it.

    This is not always the case. The Judge may accept the amount that you and the other parent have agreed upon, but they are not required to do so. In many cases, the Judge will decide based on some factors, including each parent’s income and the needs of the child. If you and the other parent are unable to agree on an appropriate amount of child support, it is best to seek legal assistance. An experienced family law attorney can help negotiate a fair child support agreement on your behalf.

  Despite what you may have heard, child support in Arizona is not always simple. There are many misconceptions about how it works and who is responsible for paying for it. At our office, we want to help clear up some of the confusion by debunking five common misconceptions about child support in Arizona. If you still have questions after reading this article, don’t hesitate to give us a call today. We’re here to help.

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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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