Grand Rapids Child Support Lawyer
Providing Quality Representation at a Fair Price
Child support matters are one of the most complex family law and divorce issues as they involve your children and your finances. Whether you are seeking child support from the other parent of your child or you want to ensure you are not asked to pay more than required, our firm can help. With more than a decade of experience, our Grand Rapids child support attorney at Brookhills Legal Services can assist you with virtually any type of child support matter.
Learn more about how our Grand Rapids child support attorney by contacting us online or calling (616) 202-3988 today!
How Child Support Is Decided & Calculated
Some people wrongly assume that everyone qualifies for child support payments, no matter the situation. However, family courts actually have a specific way of calculating who pays child support, how much they will pay, and for how long. In most cases, child support is given until the child turns 21, but this can vary depending on the circumstances. We can meet with you to ensure you understand what to expect out of the child support calculation process.
It's crucial to recognize that child support guidelines can vary significantly by jurisdiction. In Grand Rapids, the family court considers a variety of factors unique to Michigan laws. Understanding these specific guidelines and their implications on your financial situation can make a significant difference in the outcome. We educate our clients thoroughly about the legal frameworks governing child support, assisting them in navigating through complex legal requirements while considering the long-term financial needs of their children.
A few of the factors which determine how much child support will be paid include:
- The child's financial needs
- The child's educational and health care needs
- If the child has any special needs
- The income and earning capacity of each parent
- The education level and health of each parent
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support
What Should I Do If My Financial Situation Changes?
If you experience a significant change in your financial situation, such as a job loss or unexpected expenses, it is important to address this immediately. Contacting a child support attorney at Brookhills Legal Services can provide guidance on submitting a modification request to the court. The process involves proving the change in circumstances, which may require detailed documentation and a comprehensive explanation to justify the request. Acting swiftly can help prevent potential legal consequences for non-compliance with current support terms.
How Can An Agreement Be Enforced?
In Grand Rapids, enforcing child support agreements involves various legal mechanisms. This can include income withholding orders, where payments are directly deducted from the payer's wages, or finding the payer in contempt of court, which could lead to fines or jail time. Courts are proactive in ensuring compliance and have stringent measures in place to address non-payment promptly. At Brookhills Legal Services, we assist clients in understanding the enforcement process, helping them receive the support they are entitled to.
What If The Other Parent Refuses To Pay Child Support?
When a parent refuses to pay child support in Michigan, there are several legal steps that the receiving parent can take. Contacting a knowledgeable attorney at Brookhills Legal Services can set the enforcement process in motion. This can include filing a motion with the court or working with state agencies to garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, or suspend licenses of the non-compliant parent. Approaching this delicately yet decisively ensures that the necessary forces are in place to recover owed payments.
How Are Visitation Rights Connected To Child Support Payments?
A common misconception is that visitation and child support are directly linked. Legally, child support is independent of visitation rights, and a parent must continue payments regardless of visitation disagreements. However, tensions often arise when these issues intersect. At Brookhills Legal Services, we help resolve such disputes by offering mediation services and practical solutions that consider the child's best interests, ultimately aiding in maintaining parental involvement without withholding financial support.
Discuss Your Options with an Experienced Attorney
Our firm understands the importance of securing child support to make sure your child is taken care of. We strive to find the most beneficial and least complicated solution for your children. Fortunately, most family court judges also work to do the same and keep your child's best interests in mind. In addition to handling child support in divorce cases, we also handle child support matters pertaining to unmarried parents.
Call us now at (616) 202-3988 if you are interested in scheduling a free consultation.
Client Testimonials
See What People Are Saying
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"Amazing service!"I’ve worked with this firm for over 2 years. Amazing service and staff!!- Aladin K.
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"Amaizing team"They fight for whats best for you, family is their most importan mater. Michael King help me with my divorce when I was feeling hopeless about my case. He stud up for my daughter's safety and my rights I would go to them in a heart beat if ever needed help again. I just can't thank them enough Michael, Jackelyn, and hennessey they are all exelent people.- Veronica G. Herrera
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"My Lawyer is Sharper than Yours!"I am thrilled to be able to leave a rave review of my attorney Lee Coppage. Not only was he sharply dressed and his appearance spoke business but his expertise and manner in which he takes over a courtroom was amazing. I was always satisfied to know that he would definitely get my point across and my voice would be heard through him (loud and clear) every single court appearance. He helped guide me through the worse time of my adult life. I was emotionally flustered and extremely concerned about my children and their wellbeing. Lee was supportive, knowledgeable and extremely patient with me. Several times I had emotional breakdowns and the staff in Mr. Crowe's office was very respectful and tolerated everything. It was a long year for me but I am proud to say that I made the best decision by hiring the office of Wayne Crowe Jr and blessed by having Lee represent me in court during this custody battle. I am extremely satisfied with the service provided to me.- Janet Caraballo
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"Company is great"She was amazing, knowledgeable, and compassionate I look forward to her representing all upcoming cases. Bolinda was awesome.- Colin
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"Wayne is a great lawyer!"Wayne is such a smart, experienced, good advocate. He knows the law, he works hard, and he cares deeply about his clients' cases. I enthusiastically recommend him.- Will N.
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"One of the best law firm in Bronx New York"My case involves child custody and child support. I moved out of state with my kids and was served by my husband with child custody paper stating he wants full custody of the kids. I was so worried, I went online and googled law firm that deal with child custody and came across Wayne F Crowe Jr. after reading some of the reviews I decided to contact the law firm and I am glad that I did because everything works out excellent. Wayne help me won the child custody case which was a difficult one because it's a move of state with the kids without the other party written consent but Wayne keep on telling me that we were going to win and we did.He made it look so easy. Thank you Wayne. Lee was my Child support lawyer and he help me get the Child Support that was more that reasonable for my two kids with only few court appearances. Thank you Lee. I recommend this law firm to anyone who want lawyers that are knowledgeable and will put in the work to win your case.- Charlesa
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"An amazing team."I would highly recommend them to anyone in need of their phenomenal services!- Hannah C.
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"100% recommend."I have been working with this firm closely for over 2 years. Always have felt important and that I was being taken care of. 100% recommend.- Nick S.
