Pittsburgh Child Support Lawyer

At Schmidt Bresnahan Law Group, LLC, we recognize the importance of securing your child's well-being through fair and just child support arrangements. Our team of experienced child support attorneys in Pittsburgh specializes in family law, ensuring you receive the guidance and representation you need during this challenging time. 

Call Schmidt Bresnahan Law Group, LLC today at (412) 693-6681 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our child support lawyer in Pittsburgh!

Understanding Child Support in Pennsylvania 

Child support is a legal obligation that a noncustodial parent must fulfill to contribute to the financial care of their child. It is designed to cover essential expenses such as education, healthcare, and general living costs. Our legal team at Schmidt Bresnahan Law Group, LLC understands the nuances of child support law in Pennsylvania. It is dedicated to assisting clients in establishing, modifying, or enforcing child support orders.

Child support orders are typically initiated during divorce or separation proceedings but can also be established independently. Navigating these family law matters with legal expertise is crucial to prioritize the child's best interests. Our child support attorneys are well-versed in Pennsylvania family law, effectively advocating for our clients in child support cases.

Calculating Child Support Payments in Pennsylvania

While child support calculators are prevalent on the Internet, it is vital to understand that each support case is unique, and these calculations might not apply to your situation. 

The factors that affect child support determinations in Pennsylvania are as follows:

• The age of the child
• Each parent's income
• Daycare expenses
• The cost of medical expenses
• Any Social Security benefits the child could receive
• In High Net Income cases, the children's reasonable needs are considered

Essential Components of a Child Support Order

Child support orders include monetary support to provide for necessities such as:

• Food
• Clothing
• Shelter
• Health Insurance
• Education
• Childcare
• Medical Expenses
• Extracurricular Expenses

Adjusting Child Support Payments

An obligor or the parent responsible for making child support payments must continue to make payments until a child support order is modified or terminated. If you struggle to meet these payments, you can request a modification. The court can modify a child support order if either parent experiences a material and substantial change in circumstances.

The Pennsylvania court must review both parents' current financial records to recalculate the amount of support.

Enforcing Child Support Orders 

Once a child support order has been established, payments are due to the custodial parent once a month unless the court order changes. If you struggle to pay child support, you can work with a Pittsburgh child support attorney to help modify the monthly amount owed.

If a noncustodial parent falls behind on child support payments, the custodial parent is entitled to enforce this order. The court will hold a contempt hearing to determine whether to hold the custodial parent in contempt. The punishment for contempt could include a fine, losing your license, or sometimes jail time.

What Age Do You Stop Paying Child Support?

The age at which child support obligations cease in Pennsylvania is generally 18. However, certain circumstances may extend this obligation. If the child is still in high school when they turn 18, child support may continue until graduation or the child reaches the age of 19, whichever comes first. 

It is crucial to be aware of the specific terms outlined in your child support order and to seek legal advice if any uncertainties arise. 

Our family law attorneys at Schmidt Bresnahan Law Group, LLC, are adept at interpreting and navigating the legal intricacies surrounding the duration of child support payments. We are committed to ensuring our clients fully understand their rights and obligations throughout the child support process.

Contact Our Pittsburgh Child Support Attorney Today

Our Pittsburgh child support attorneys team will help you navigate the complex child support guidelines to ensure your child(ren) is financially protected. We thoroughly review each aspect of your case and provide straightforward advice to clients.

Child support can be hard to determine on your own, but with the right legal support, it does not have to be.

Contact Schmidt Bresnahan Law Group, LLC today to schedule a meeting with our child support lawyer in Pittsburgh!