In regard to child support issues, much attention is directed to so-called deadbeat parents not paying their fair share. They don’t pay on time, and they may miss payments. Another issue that many people aren’t aware of involves the noncustodial parent being ordered to pay a monthly amount far above the state guidelines. Laurel child support lawyers may be able to assist if this happens.
How Does This Happen?
A family court judge is allowed by law to set payments higher than standard guidelines recommend. Judges are likely to do this if the custodial parent reports that the other parent has had an income increase. Unfortunately, sometimes those increases are temporary, and the new support level can be financially burdensome.
Examples
Family court judges also may believe that if the individual was able to boost income temporarily, this should be achievable again soon. However, that may not be the case.
For instance, a heavy equipment operator or technical writer who works on various contract jobs might spend a few months on an unusually lucrative government project. If the custodial parent asks for a re-evaluation of support during or after this, a judge may order payments based on that income. Laurel child support lawyers can petition the court to reconsider and explain the details in a hearing.
The Legal Intention
This discretion in judgment is primarily intended to deter noncustodial parents from taking actions to avoid paying support, such as quitting a job or intentionally getting fired. A judge can still order them to pay according to the amount they were making previously. Find information about the Law Offices of Sandra Guzman-Salvado.
