Smyrna Child Support Lawyer

When parents divorce or are no longer in a relationship with one another, the custodial parent may choose to seek child support payments from the noncustodial parent. Whether you are the parent seeking child support payments in Young Subdivision, or you are the parent who may be responsible for making payments, you need a Smyrna child support lawyer with the experience and knowledge necessary to protect your rights and advocate for your side of the case.

Work With Boss Law on Your Child Support Case

Since 2004, Boss Law has made a name for itself when it comes to Tennessee family law. We have spent years advocating for individuals and families in the Rutherford County courthouse at 116 West Lytle Street in Murfreesboro, where your case will likely be held. We are able to use this experience to benefit your case. Additionally, both our lead attorney and receptionist are fluent Spanish speakers, meaning we are here to help families from all backgrounds.

At Boss Law, we believe that you and your loved ones deserve exceptional legal service and representation, and our attorney, Mitchell Shannon, is here to deliver that. Mr. Shannon is here to help you navigate the child support process and find a fair and positive solution that benefits you and your children. At Boss Law, we believe that our clients come first, and we want you to know that no matter what, we have your back.

Defining Child Support in Smyrna

Tennessee sees an overall divorce rate of 2.9 per every 1,000 residents, and 8 out of every 10 children live with their biological parents. In most divorce cases, when these minor children are involved, the courts will be primarily concerned with the well-being of the children. For this reason, a judge may order one parent to pay child support to the other in order to make sure that the financial needs of the child are met following the divorce.

It is often mistakenly believed that only fathers are responsible for paying child support. However, this is not the case under Tennessee law. In fact, if the mother is the noncustodial parent, she may be required to pay support to the custodial father. However, according to one study, a custodial mother is more likely to have a support order in place at 43.2% over a custodial father, at 33.4%.

Child support typically goes to help pay for the child’s basic needs, including their housing, clothing, and food. Regardless of whether your child support case stems from a divorce in Smyrna or you are trying to modify an already existing support order, you need to hire a lawyer from Boss Law who can help you through the case and help determine your legal options to ensure your child gets the support they need.

Factors Considered When Determining Child Support

When determining child support awards and amounts, the court system will use a set of guidelines determined by the state. These guidelines will work as a way to calculate the basic amount of support available in a case, depending on the factors present. These factors include:

• Income of the parents. One of the most important factors in determining child support is the combined monthly gross income of both parents. This can include the salaries, wages, commissions, income from self-employment, bonuses, and other kinds of income, like alimony, rental income, or retirement benefits earned by both parents.
• Number of children involved. Another factor involved in the amount of child support is how many minor children are shared between the parents. The more children that are involved in a case, the higher the amount of support will likely be. The court will take a percentage of the parents’ combined incomes and the number of children involved to determine the needs of each specific family.
• Parenting time. Another factor taken into account will be the amount of time each parent spends with their children. If you are the noncustodial parent, but spend a significant amount of time with your child, your child support obligations might be considerably lower compared to a noncustodial parent who does not spend much time with their children.
• Healthcare and other costs. In Tennessee, child support payments will usually include some sort of provision for any necessary expenses, such as dental care or medical/healthcare. You will likely be required to carry health insurance for your children, and certain costs like daycare or extra medical expenses can be calculated into the support award.
• Special needs of the child. If the child has any special needs, such as emotional, educational, or medical needs, the family court judge may adjust the awarded support amount to accurately reflect the needs of the child.

Tennessee Child Support Modifications

In Smyrna, life can change in the blink of an eye. When substantial changes occur, it might become necessary for an existing child support award to be modified by the courts. Whether you are seeking a decrease or an increase in a child support order, you need an attorney to help you through the complicated process. There are only certain situations under which you can seek a child support modification. These situations include:

• Change in income levels of either parent
• Change in the medical or educational needs or expenses of the child
• Change in the financial needs of the child
• Change in the custody or visitation arrangements between parents
• Change in the physical or mental health of either parent

At Boss Law, we can review your situation in order to help protect your rights and the best interests of your children when it comes to necessary child support.

Hire a Child Support Lawyer Today

At Boss Law, we have a proven track record of achieving favorable results for our clients when it comes to child support cases. We are here to review the details of your case and determine your overall legal needs and the needs of your child. These cases can be complicated, which is why you need to hire a child support lawyer as soon as possible. Contact our offices today to learn more about our services and to schedule your free consultation.