We Help You Obtain A Fair Child Support Order
While a divorce or action to establish parental rights is pending and once it is final, one party may have financial obligations toward the other spouse or parent in the form of child support. Whether you are entitled to receive support or are ordered to provide it, we will ensure that the courts apply the child support statutes fairly to your unique circumstances.
At the Kelly Law Office, in Columbus, you will find an experienced lawyer who can answer your questions, and give you an accurate assessment of where, in the eyes of the court, you may stand on the issues of child support and lead you in your fight for the best possible outcome in your family law case.
The Court Uses A Strict Formula For Initial Determinations
Ohio law provides a formula known as the child support guideline, which is used to determine the amount of child support one parent pays to the other. The information considered by this formula (guidelines) when determining support is limited, and takes into account the following:
- The number of minor children living with each parent
- The potential income of each parent, including bonuses and overtime
- Children from another relationship living with each parent
- Day care expenses related to work
- Health care expenses
- Benefits such as Social Security or veterans benefits
- Spousal support orders
- Payments made under other child support orders
The formula does NOT consider additional financial obligations such as mortgage, rent, student loans, credit card payments or vehicle payments.
The Court Also Has The Power To Deviate From The Calculated Amount
Once the guideline formula is run, the court may deviate from the guideline amount (order an amount of support different from the guidelines) for many reasons. These could include:
- A child’s special or unusual needs
- Extraordinary obligations for other minor or handicapped children, excluding stepchildren
- Extended parenting time or extraordinary costs associated with parenting time, excluding situations involving interference with a court order
- An additional job obtained to support a second family
- Parents or households with unequal incomes
- Remarriage or shared living expenses that result in a benefit to either parent
- Local, state and federal tax liabilities
- Significant monetary payments made for sports equipment, music lessons, education or clothing
- Additional financial resources or needs of each parent
- Any other factor the court considers relevant
Although the guidelines are fairly straightforward, determining whether a deviation is appropriate and if so, how much, is an area where the court can exercise a great amount of discretion. It is also an area where the assistance of an experienced family law attorney, familiar with the decisions of your specific judge or magistrate, can be crucial and have the greatest impact.
We Can Help You Collect Past-Due Support
If you are owed significant amounts in past-due court-ordered child or spousal support, we can help you collect, sometimes for a contingent fee, meaning you pay legal fees only if you collect. If you are ordered to receive child or spousal support and are currently not receiving it, we can help you pressure the payor to follow the current court orders and begin paying.
Have Questions About Child Support? Talk To Our Lawyer For Free.
Contact our law firm to set up your free initial telephone consultation to discuss initial support determinations, modifications or contempt-of-court enforcement actions. Email us or speak with a member of our staff directly at 614-241-2174.