Learn The Basics About Child Support in Massachusetts
Child support is one of the most important and heavily litigated issues in family law. It is sometimes the primary source of financial support for many children when their parents were married, are in the process of getting married or separating, or are not and never were married. At the Law Offices of Eric Mercer, we focus on helping our Plymouth County and South Shore Massachusetts clients negotiate child support obligations and modifications with certainty and confidence based on statutory guidelines and case law. The attorneys in our client-focused law firm will walk you through each stage of child support, whether you require an original determination or an increase, decrease, or enforcement of a current order, to achieve a result that works for you with the best interests of children in mind.
What is Child Support?
Statutory child support is the court-ordered payment made by a non-custodial parent to the custodial parent in order to assist with raising their child. Child support usually represents a contribution toward the child’s needs, such as housing, food, clothing, education, health care costs, and allowance for extracurricular activities. In Massachusetts, the statutory child support payment (or combined child support award) is for both parents. Regardless of whether parents are married or unmarried, they both have a legal obligation to contribute to the upbringing of their children. Massachusetts courts rely on child support guidelines and formulas in calculating child support obligations, so you know exactly what the amount should be – and understand future potential increases that may occur based upon new income levels.
A Guide to Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines
The Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines provide a formula that is used to calculate the amount of child support. The guidelines are revised every four years and take into consideration certain components including each parent’s income, the number of children at issue, medical insurance, daycare costs, and time sharing arrangement with the minor child(ren). The court will then undertake to create an amount that would closely approximate the standard of living that a child would have enjoyed had both parents continued to live together. At The Law Offices of Eric Mercer we can work with you to determine how child support is applied to your situation and show you how to use child support to ensure fair results.
How are Child Support Obligations Calculated
Child support in Massachusetts is calculated using a formula that takes into account the parents’ gross incomes, the cost of health insurance, childcare, and number of children supported. The guidelines also take into consideration parenting time. If mom and dad divide parenting time equally or fairly equally, then the calculation may be adjusted. Our firm provides thorough analysis and counsel to help make sure the judge is made aware of all factors to help you arrive at child support that is fair and reasonable.
Common Child Support Issues
Though guidelines provide a framework, child support cases present unique issues. Areas of contention might include disagreements over reported income, classification of an expense, or even changes in employment status. Self-employed persons, sporadic income, or hidden assets could also present a challenge. When children are young, support needs can change as they grow. Orders might need to be modified to meet this change. Eric Mercer has over 30 years of experience identifying potential pitfalls and championing the cause of parents and children.
Modification and Enforcement of Child Support Orders
As life progresses, circumstances change. So too may the ability or need to pay or receive support. A child support order may be modified based on a lost job, increase or decrease in income, a change in custody/parenting time, or even a child’s specific needs. An Order may be enforced (or even modified) if a parent owes past due support.
At the Law Offices of Eric Mercer we walk our clients through the legal process of filing for child support modification or enforcement, and work to ensure that you are afforded every right you are entitled to while doing everything we can to secure your child’s financial future.
Child Support and Never-Married Parents
Child support is just as vital for parents who were never married to one another as it is for parents divorcing in Massachusetts. Determining paternity is often the first step toward obtaining a support order. The lawyers at our firm represent mothers and fathers in proceedings to explain parental rights and obligations, establish paternity in cases at all levels of complexity and obtain or challenge child support orders. A child is a child whether the parents are married, single, divorced or never married. Every child deserves to be supported.
Defending Fathers’ Rights: Fair Treatment is Essential
The Law Offices of Eric Mercer has proven experience and success in protecting fathers’ rights and ensuring fair and impartial determinations in child support settings. We recognize the potential challenges facing fathers in the family law court and protect the rights of parents while keeping the best interests of the children in mind. If you are not being treated fairly in a child support or child custody issue, our experienced legal team is ready to aggressively represent you. For more information, you may want to visit our page on Fathers’ Rights.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Eric Mercer?
Eric Mercer offers over thirty years of experience in Massachusetts family law, delivering affordable and personalized legal assistance to residents of Plymouth County and the South Shore. Our practice is founded on principles of clarity, transparency, and respect for your objectives. We understand the emotional and financial challenges often linked to child support matters, and we are committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for your case and the welfare of your child. We provide free initial consultations that are confidential, allowing you to discuss your case with us in a comfortable and obligation-free environment. Learn more About Eric Mercer.
The Next Step – Schedule a Free Consultation
If you need help dealing with child support issues, understanding the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines, or you are grappling with an enforceable child support order or a motion to modify child support, the Law Offices of Eric Mercer can assist you. We proudly represent clients in Plymouth, Brockton, Hingham, Bridgewater, and communities across the South Shore as you fight to get the advice and representation that you need. Call us today at (323) 454-4623, email [email protected], or visit Contact Us and fill out an online form to request your free and confidential consultation. We will work hard to help you get the financial assistance and security that you and your child require.