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Child support law in Hoover, United States, operates on the principle that both parents of a child are legally obliged to provide financial assistance for their child's upbringing. It is typically applicable when parents have separated or divorced, and the child is primarily residing with one parent. The non-custodial parent is required to make regular payments to contribute to the costs of raising the child, including but not limited to education, healthcare, and daily living costs. Such payments continue until the age of majority, usually at 18 years old, sometimes longer if a child is in full-time education or has special needs.
You might require legal assistance in child support cases for various reasons. These could include determining paternity, setting up an agreement for child support, optimizing the amount to ensure it is fair and reflective of the parents' financial status, ensuring payments are made consistently, and adjusting payments if circumstances change. A lawyer can also assist in enforcement actions if the non-custodial parent fails to make the agreed payments.
In Hoover, like the rest of Alabama, child support laws utilize an "Income Shares Model" for determining support. Both parents’ gross incomes are taken into account, and an amount that would have been spent on the child if the parents didn’t separate is calculated. That total is then split between the parents according to their incomes. The parent who the child lives with usually receives the payment. However, other factors may come into play, including the custodial time each parent has with the child and the specific needs of the children. Parents are usually required to provide health insurance for their child. The law also allows modifications to arrangements if circumstances significantly change.
Yes, child support orders can be modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances, for example, if either parent has a significant increase or decrease in their income.
If a parent neglects to make the agreed child support payments, enforcement methods such as wage garnishment, seizing tax refunds, revoking licenses, denying passports, or even legal sanctions may be utilized.
Child support in Hoover typically ends when a child reaches the age of 19, or earlier if the child becomes self-supporting, marries or joins the military. It may continue past 19 if the child is disabled or in some cases where the child is still in school.
No, under Alabama law, a parent cannot be denied visitation or custody rights due to non-payment of child support.
No, paternity must be established before a court can order child support. If paternity is in question, a court may order genetic testing.
The State of Alabama Child Support Division, local Family Court, and Alabama Legal Help can offer valuable resources and information about the process, rights and obligations surrounding child support.
If you need legal assistance with child support, your first step should be to consult an experienced family law attorney, who can understand your situation, give you advice, and represent your interests in court if required. It could also be beneficial to gather as much documentation as you can related to your and your child’s financial situation and needs, and any communication about this issue with the other parent.
