Asheville Child Support Lawyer
When parents separate, the well-being and future of their children should always come first. At Parsons Law, PA, we understand how overwhelming this time can feel, and we are here to stand beside you. With nearly 20 years of experience, our Asheville child support lawyer, Marion Parsons, and our dedicated team work tirelessly to secure the support your children deserve. We know these cases aren’t just about numbers; they are about protecting your family’s stability and giving your children the best possible future. If you are facing child support matters in Asheville, North Carolina, don’t wait to reach out. Let us help guide you through this process with compassion and determination.
What Is Child Support And Who Pays For It?
Child support is a legally binding agreement between a divorcing couple. It requires one parent to make consistent payments to the other to ensure their children’s needs are still properly met. In any divorce case involving children, it is the duty of the court to always keep the children’s best interests in mind. Because of this, child support is always required in North Carolina when parents separate to ensure children can still be taken care of. In most cases, the noncustodial parent is the one who makes child support payments to the parent who has primary custody.
How Is Child Support Determined In North Carolina?
In order to calculate child support obligations correctly, child custody arrangements must be determined first. In North Carolina, parents can either have sole or joint physical custody. When a parent is awarded sole or “primary” custody, the children live with them full-time, and the other parent may be granted visitation rights if eligible. In cases where there is sole custody, the parent who does not have primary custody is considered the “noncustodial” parent and is therefore required to make child support payments. With joint custody, however, while both parents may share the responsibilities of the children living with them, one parent will still most likely be required to make child support payments to the other. In most joint custody cases, it is the parent who brings in most of the income who may be required to pay.
In addition to child custody, there are multiple other factors that the court will take into consideration when determining child support, such as:
- Monthly gross income of each parent
- Health insurance costs
- Daycare or childcare-related costs
- “Extraordinary” costs, such as specially required schooling or medical care a child may need
The court will evaluate the different factors in your case before assigning child support obligations. They will determine the total amount of your set payments using a formula dependent on your type of custody.
How Our North Carolina Child Support Attorney Can Help You
Child support becomes much more difficult when one parent hides income or when parental abuse allegations are part of the case. Our firm uses our experience in complex child custody cases to ensure the court sees the full financial and safety picture.
We provide the following support for your case:
- Locating hidden assets: We investigate income to ensure the support calculation is fair and accurate.
- Enforcing court orders: If a parent refuses to pay, we take aggressive legal action to recover the funds.
- Modifying current orders: We help you change support amounts if your income or the child’s needs change significantly.
Our attorneys handle the difficult negotiations so you can focus on your family. We use our deep knowledge of the Buncombe County courts to fight for a result that truly supports your child’s future.
Child Support Matters FAQs
Child support questions come up often and the answers are not always straightforward. Here are some of the most common ones we hear from clients in North Carolina.
Does the father always have to pay child support in North Carolina?
No. North Carolina law is gender-neutral. The parent who earns more or has less time with the child typically pays support to ensure the child’s needs are met in both homes.
How much does a child support lawyer cost in North Carolina?
Costs vary based on how much the parents disagree. We provide clear, private consultations to discuss our fees and how we can efficiently handle your specific case.
What happens if I stop receiving my child support payments in North Carolina?
You should contact a child support lawyer immediately. We can file a motion for contempt, which may lead to wage garnishment or the seizure of tax refunds to pay back what is owed.
Can you go to jail for not paying child support in North Carolina?
Yes. If a parent has the money but refuses to pay, a judge can find them in “contempt of court.” This can result in jail time until a certain amount of the debt is paid.
Contact Our Experienced North Carolina Child Support Lawyers Today
Whether you are going through a dispute in a child support case or you need to have your order enforced because your ex-partner isn’t paying, our team can help find a solution for you. At Parsons Law, PA, we understand how important it is to make sure that your children are taken care of properly. That is why we are committed to representing each child support case to the best of our ability. If you are dealing with child support issues in Asheville, North Carolina, see how our team may be able to help you. To learn more about Parsons Law, PA, and our different services, contact us today. Call 828-581-9529 or fill out the online request form. Se habla español. Phone consultations or video conferencing options are available.