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Child support laws in Huntsville, Alabama, revolve around the premise that both parents have a financial responsibility towards their child or children. If parents are no longer together, the non-custodial parent is typically obligated to help the custodial parent financially. The child support is intended to cover the child's basic needs, including food, clothing, housing, education and healthcare. The exact amount is determined using the Alabama Child Support Guidelines, which take into account the parents' gross income, the number of children, and various other expenses.
Legal assistance can be invaluable in situations such as establishing a child support order, modifying an existing order, enforcing non-paid child-support, calculating the child support amount, and addressing complex scenarios such as interstate or international child support. An experienced lawyer can guide you through the legal process, help protect your rights and the best interests of your child, and help ensure that the calculated child support is fair to all parties involved.
In Huntsville, Alabama, the child support orders are calculated based on the Income Shares Model. This model, as outlined by the Alabama Child Support Guidelines, takes into consideration both the parents' gross income, the number of children, the cost of healthcare and childcare, and any pre-existing child support or alimony obligations. The non-custodial parent will then pay a proportion of the total child support amount relative to their income. In some cases, as per Alabama law, the court may deviate from the guideline amount if a written finding concludes such deviation to be in the child's best interest.
In Alabama, if a parent refuses or fails to pay child support, they can face legal repercussions such as wage garnishments, liens on their property, suspension of their driving or professional licenses, and even jail time.
Yes, child support orders can be reviewed and potentially modified every three years, or sooner if there is a significant change in the circumstances of either parent. Examples of such circumstances include job loss, a significant increase or decrease in income, or a substantial change in the needs of the child.
Child support and visitation are treated as separate issues by the Alabama courts. Thus, a non-custodial parent cannot refuse to pay child support if they’re denied visitation rights, and a custodial parent cannot deny visitation rights if child support is not paid.
If the non-custodial parent lives out of Alabama, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) allows Alabama to work together with the other state to enforce child support obligations.
While it is possible to represent yourself in child support cases, it may not be advisable especially in scenarios that involve complex legal procedures or disputes. An experienced child support attorney can help you navigate the laws and protect your rights.
The Alabama Department of Human Resources has a Child Support Division that provides services like locating non-custodial parents, establishing paternity, setting up child support orders and enforcing payments. Custodial parents in need of these services may find it helpful.
If you need legal assistance with a child support issue in Huntsville, you should reach out to a local attorney specializing in child support cases. As each case is unique, a lawyer can provide advice tailored to your specific situation, and guide you through the legal process.
