Families in Alexandria and surrounding areas want what is best for their children, and establishing proper financial support is a significant factor that goes into ensuring their well-being. As a result, child support cases can be highly contentious and emotionally challenging. An Alexandria child support and family law attorney from Taylor Huguley Powers PLLC can help you navigate any child support challenges you may be facing.
At Taylor Huguley Powers PLLC, our attorneys have years of experience successfully representing parents in Alexandria and surrounding areas with their child support challenges through initial determinations, modifications, and support payment enforcements.
Determining Child Support Arrangements in Virginia
Child support is a legal obligation requiring one parent to pay the other for a child’s essential needs, such as food, clothing, housing, and education. In some cases with special circumstances, child support also may include the cost of private school tuition or extracurricular activities and sports.
Virginia guidelines determine child support based on factors including each parent’s income, cost of medical insurance, and cost for childcare, as well as the number of children. Typically, when one parent has primary physical custody, and most of the child’s time is spent with that parent, the other is required to pay child support. If both parents have significant time with the children and also have similar incomes, neither parent may owe the other support or support paid by one parent to the other may be very low.
A Virginia court may approve child support agreements reached in negotiation or mediation if the support arrangements meet the child’s needs, even if they deviate from the legal guidelines.
A knowledgeable attorney from Taylor Huguley Powers PLLC can assess your child support case, clarify child support payment expectations, and ensure fair and just compliance with state guidelines.
An Alexandria Attorney Can Help You Meet Your Child Support Goals
An attorney from our firm can work closely with you to understand the specific details of your case, including your child’s needs, your and your spouse’s financial situation, and your desired custody arrangements and child support goals.
If an agreement cannot be reached through negotiations or mediation, we will advocate for you in court, fighting for support to meet your child’s needs. If your financial situation or child’s needs has significantly changed, we also can help you navigate the modification process.
FAQs
Although it is not required by law, hiring an experienced attorney for your child support case in Virginia will increase your chances of obtaining a positive outcome. A seasoned child support attorney can protect your rights and assess your case to make sure that the child support amount is accurately calculated and fair.
Depending on the individual case, child support can be directly paid to the other parent. In some cases, however, the court may order payments go through the Virginia Department of Social Services. If you are making or receiving direct payments, it’s crucial that you keep a clear record of all transactions.
Yes, joint custody arrangements can affect child support payments in Virginia. The amount of time that the child or children spends with each parent is a factor when calculating child support amounts according to Virginia guidelines. A detail-oriented child support attorney can help you understand how this and other factors will impact your child support amount.
As a general rule, stepchildren are not included in child support calculations in Virginia. Stepchildren may be included in the calculations in some cases, however, if the child was legally adopted by the stepparent or another legal obligation has been established. A knowledgeable attorney can help you understand the laws surrounding whether your stepchild should be included in your child support calculations.
Expenses for basic needs are covered by child support in Virginia, such as medical expenses, housing, clothing, education, and food. Depending on the specific circumstances of the case, however, additional costs may be taken into account, such as private school tuition or extraordinary expenses related to special needs and disabilities.
Safeguard Your Child’s Financial Future With an Alexandria Law Attorney
Regardless of their parents’ relationship, every child deserves to have a future free from financial worries or insecurities. A skilled Alexandria child support and family law attorney from Taylor Huguley Powers PLLC can fight for a fair outcome for you and your child. Whether you need to get child support for the first time or modify an existing agreement, we can help. Connect today to schedule your first consultation and learn more.