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Queens Child Support Lawyers

Understanding Child Support in Divorce Proceedings

In any divorce where children are involved, the calculation of child support will be one of the most important and potentially contentious issues dealt with during the process. Though child support can be paid by either a mother or father who becomes the non-custodial parent, the majority of payments are made by fathers. Yet whoever is making child support payments, it is crucial they be calculated in a reasonable manner. In doing so, not only does the custodial parent receive the money needed to provide a reasonable standard of living for their children, but the non-custodial parent is also able to provide payments that do not adversely affect them financially. If you are in the process of getting divorced and have questions regarding the calculation of child support, here is what you should keep in mind.

Each Situation is Unique

Due to the statutes involving the calculation of child support varying among states, each situation will be unique. Thus, if you have a friend who is in a similar situation to yours who is paying a certain amount of child support per month, do not automatically assume this is what you will be paying. While the state will have certain guidelines it is required to follow, you also have options in these matters. One of the most crucial is to hire an experienced divorce attorney who can negotiate the terms of your child support payments on your behalf. Since it is likely your spouse will do all they can to have the court order as large a payment as possible, work with your attorney to arrive at a figure everyone considers to be fair.

Judges Have Discretion

While there are financial formulas judges must use in calculating child support payments, they are also given discretion to deviate from these formulas if they feel it is necessary. When this happens, it often results in the ordering of larger payments. Therefore, if you are the non-custodial parent, work closely with your lawyer to have ample evidence showing the court you can only afford child support payments up to a certain amount. If you fail to do so, you could find yourself struggling to meet your court-ordered obligations, which could only lead to more legal difficulties along the way.

Key Factors in Calculating Child Support

Along with the formula for a particular state and the discretion a judge may have to deviate from that formula, there are many other key factors that you and your attorney should take into account when child support is being discussed either in court or in mediation sessions. Some of the most important factors include not only the number of children that will require financial support, but also such things as medical expenses for any of the children, child care expenses for the custodial parent, and the type of custody arrangement you and your ex-spouse will have with the children. While you may not think the custody arrangement will greatly impact how much child support the court will order you to pay, you are wrong. For example, if you have joint custody and thus have your children with you on a regular basis for overnight visits, this could lower the amount of child support you are ordered to pay. Therefore, always rely on your experienced divorce attorney to push hard for arrangements such as these, since this could ease your financial burden regarding your support payments.

George FernandezGeorge Fernandez
14:16 30 Apr 24
Excellent 10 out of 10, Helped resolve my case. Jeremy explained everything and made everything easy to understand.
RajRaj
21:33 24 Apr 24
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
Yelva Saint-PreuxYelva Saint-Preux
19:26 19 Apr 24
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Katherine SunKatherine Sun
18:08 18 Apr 24
my lawyer is Alex Zhik. Efficient, patient and professional
Nun yaNun ya
17:48 18 Apr 24
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Keisha ParrisKeisha Parris
20:45 15 Mar 24
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
TaĂŻko BeautyTaĂŻko Beauty
16:26 15 Mar 24
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
K MarK Mar
01:37 25 Jan 24
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
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What if the Payments are Too High?

Even if you believe the initial child support payments you are ordered to pay by the court are too high, the good news is it does not have to be this way forever. Since almost all states conduct periodic reviews of how much child support non-custodial parents are paying, you can work with your attorney to get the amount changed to something you believe to be more reasonable and realistic. To do so, your attorney will need to petition the court for a modification of the child support agreement. However, this is usually done only if you can show the court there has been a significant change in your financial circumstances since the previous order was issued, such as if you have lost your job, have large medical expenses due to an illness, or other factors.

Since you of course want what is best for your children, it is natural to assume you will pay as much as you can each month to provide for them as they grow up. However, it is also crucial to not let yourself be taken advantage of by an ex-spouse who is determined to exact as much revenge on you as possible. If you are currently beginning your discussions of child support or feel you need an existing agreement modified, consult with a skilled and knowledgeable divorce attorney immediately.

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