It is estimated that one in four children in the United States lives without a father in the home. In North Carolina also, the figures are close to the national average. Growing up without a father can have a significant impact on a child’s development and future success.
Research has shown that children who grow up without a father are more likely to experience poverty, poor educational outcomes, and behavioral problems. They are also more likely to become involved in crime and experience teenage pregnancy.
Fathers play a vital role in their children’s lives. They provide financial support, emotional guidance, and role models for their children. When fathers are absent, it can be difficult for children to meet their needs.
If you are a father who has been absent from your child’s life, it is never too late to start playing a role in their life. Child support can help you do that. Child support is a court-ordered payment that a non-custodial parent makes to the custodial parent to help with the costs of raising a child.
If you are owed child support, it is vital to contact an experienced child support attorney who can help you collect the support you are owed. If you are having trouble making child support payments, an attorney can also help you modify your payment plan.
Parent Who Are Owed Child Support Payments
If you are a parent who is owed child support, you may wonder how a child support attorney can help you collect the payments you are owed. The first step is to understand that child support is a court-ordered payment, typically made by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent, to help cover the costs of raising a child.
The next step is to understand that, to receive child support, you must first establish paternity. Paternity can be established through a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity form that is signed by both parents, or it can be established through DNA testing. Once paternity has been established, the non-custodial parent can then be required to pay child support.
If the non-custodial parent fails to make the required child support payments, the custodial parent can take legal action to enforce the child support order. This legal action can be taken through the Child Support Services (CSS), an enforcement agency, or through a private attorney. The North Carolina child support enforcement agency can help you locate the non-custodial parent, establish paternity, and obtain a child support order. The agency can also help you enforce the child support order if the non-custodial parent fails to make the required payments.
If you choose to hire a private child support attorney to help you collect child support, the attorney can take the necessary legal actions to establish paternity and obtain a child support order from the court. The attorney can also help you enforce the child support order if the other parent fails to make the required payments. Hiring an attorney usually makes collecting child support much more efficient than going to a government agency.
Parents Who Are Struggling to Pay Child Support
When it comes to child support, the law is very clear: both parents are responsible for supporting their children financially. In North Carolina, child support is usually calculated using a formula that takes into account the income of both parents and the number of children involved.
However, life is not always so simple. Many parents have trouble making their child support payments for a variety of reasons. If you are one of these parents, you may be wondering what you can do.
The good news is that there is help available. A North Carolina child support attorney can assist you in many ways.
First, a child support attorney can help you to understand your legal rights and obligations when it comes to child support. This is important because, unfortunately, many parents are unaware of the law in this area. As a result, they may end up making payments they cannot afford, or they may not receive the full amount of child support they are entitled to.
Secondly, an attorney can help you to negotiate a child support agreement that is fair to you and the other parent. In many cases, it is possible to reach an agreement lower than what the child support formula would require. This can be a huge relief for parents struggling to make ends meet.
Third, an attorney can represent you in court if necessary. If you are unable to reach an agreement with the other parent, or if the other parent is not cooperating, you may need to go to court to have a judge make a ruling. This is usually a last resort, but it is important to have an attorney on your side if it becomes necessary.
Finally, an attorney can provide you with general advice and guidance throughout the child support process. This can be invaluable for parents who are struggling to navigate the legal system.
The Help You Need
If you are a parent who is owed child support or having trouble making child support payments in North Carolina, GPS Law Group can help. Our attorneys have experience handling child support cases and can help you get the support you need or work out a payment plan that is fair and manageable. Don’t go through this alone.
Contact GPS Law Group at (704) 549-1950 or use our online contact form to send a message and set up a free consultation. Regardless of your situation, we’ll help you understand your options and get the process started.
We serve Charlotte, North Carolina, and the surrounding communities.