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Child Support Law in Woburn, located in the state of Massachusetts, is concerned with securing financial support for minors from their non-custodial parent. These laws set guidelines to calculate how much child support the non-custodial parent should pay to the custodial parent. The purpose of these funds is to cover the child's basic needs such as food, clothing, health care, education, and living expenses.
Hiring a lawyer can be beneficial in several situations. For instance, if the non-custodial parent refuses to pay the child support amount, is evading the payments, or if there are disagreements on the amount calculated as per the guidelines. It can also be beneficial during the revision of a child support order due to a change in circumstances, like loss of job, illness or increase in the child's needs.
In Woburn, as in the rest of Massachusetts, the Child Support Guidelines are used by the courts to determine child support orders. These guidelines consider the income of both parents, the cost of health care, childcare expenses, other financial obligations and the number of children involved. The non-custodial parent is required by law to make regular payments to the custodial parent. Failure to do so can result in legal consequences including wage garnishment, penalty charges or even jail time.
If you genuinely cannot afford to pay, you can request a modification of the child support order. However, this needs to be formally done through the courts and you must continue paying the current amount until the request is approved.
Yes, child support orders can be modified if there’s a significant change in circumstances. The change needs to be substantial and long-term, such as a major change in income, cost of living or the child's needs.
Income for child support includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, dividends, social security benefits, unemployment insurance and workers' compensation. It may also include other income such as rental income, interest, and trusts.
In Massachusetts, child support typically ends when the child turns 18. However, it can continue until the age of 23 if the child is still dependent, for example, in college or living with the custodial parent.
Child support orders are enforced across state lines. If the non-custodial parent lives in a different state, enforcement agencies can work together to ensure child support payments are made.
For additional help, you can reach out to the Woburn District Court or the Department of Revenue's Child Support Enforcement Division. Legal aid services and local legal clinics can also provide assistance. Online resources like the Massachusetts Law Help website and Massachusetts legal forms can also be helpful.
If you need legal assistance, start by consulting a local attorney specialized in Child Support. They can help you understand your rights, draft paperwork, negotiate with the other party, and represent you in court if necessary. Don't forget to gather all relevant financial documents before your appointment.
