Child Support Lawyers In Bloomington, Indiana
When parents end their relationship, this life change also brings major changes to their finances. This can leave them struggling to provide for their child on a single income. This is where child support comes into play.
At Law Offices of Paul D. Baugh, PC, our attorneys use more than 35 years of combined experience to help families in Monroe County, Bartholomew County and elsewhere in south-central Indiana reach fair support arrangements. We can help you work toward a support arrangement that protects both your financial health and your child’s well-being.
Understanding Child Support In Indiana
Child support is money that helps kids get what they need to thrive. It covers costs like food, clothing and school supplies. Both the parent who pays and the one who receives need to understand how child support works.
In Indiana, the law focuses on what is best for the child, making sure they get the financial support needed for a steady and healthy life. Courts use specific rules to decide how much child support each parent should pay. These rules consider:
- The number of children involved in the order
- Any child support arrangements for other children
- The number of nights that the children stay with each parent
- How much money each parent makes
- How much each parent pays toward their children’s health care, child care and schooling
By considering these details about a child’s life and their parents’ finances, courts can reach a support calculation that reflects their unique needs and situation.
How Child Support Is Modified
Child support arrangements are not set in stone. Parents can ask to change support amounts if their finances change to result in a difference of 20 percent between their old order and a new calculation. This may occur if one parent gets a new job, their parenting schedule changes or the child’s needs change. If it has been more than one year since the court established the child support order, parents may also want to explore a modification. This can address the ways that small changes in their financial situation have added up over time.
Addressing Child Support Enforcement And Disputes
If a parent doesn’t keep up with child support payments, there are ways to fix the problem. A lawyer can help settle payment disputes, either by talking it out or by going to court, to make sure the child gets what they need.
For parents that cannot resolve the issue through negotiation, the court may take a variety of different actions to collect unpaid support:
- Taking the payments directly form the parent’s wages
- Taking the payments out of the parent’s income tax refunds
- Taking unpaid support directly from the parent’s bank accounts
- Suspending the paying parent’s driver’s or professional license
- Filing a lien on property like a car or house
- Revoking or denying a passport
- Finding the parent in contempt of court for not following a court order
These enforcement actions can help the receiving parent get the support they need to provide for their child.
Contact Us For Child Support Help In Bloomington
We encourage parents and guardians in Bloomington, Columbus and nearby areas to reach out for guidance about child support. Whether you need to start, change or enforce child support orders, our firm is here to help. Contact our office today or call 812-333-9688 for a no-cost consultation.