Child Support Lawyer

Experienced Attorney Helping Create Child Support Orders in Richmond, Virginia and Several Other Surrounding Cities and Counties

When parents live together and combine their incomes their children will become accustomed to a certain standard of living. In many cases one parent earns significantly more than the other. When parents separate or divorce the children's basic needs are required to be met. Child support will most likely be ordered to ensure that each parent or the primary parent can cover the costs of food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare for each child.

Although Virginia typically uses a formula to calculate and determine child support obligations, special circumstances may require you to deviate from the standard arrangements. Whatever your situation, you can trust Carol A. N. Breit, Attorney at Law to protect your best interests and those of your children. Our broad and extensive experience and also our personal approach to handling these cases means we know how to develop effective solutions tailored to your needs. From our office in Richmond we work with clients throughout the surrounding area, including Chesterfield County, Henrico County, Powhatan County, Hanover County, Goochland County, and New Kent County.

Calculating Child Support

Virginia's mandatory guidelines are typically used to determine the amount of child support to be paid and which parent will be paying the support. Some of the factors considered are:

• Each parent's income, including any spousal support payments that are made
• The costs of work-related childcare
• The cost of the children's health insurance and out-of-pocket expenses
• Each parent's amount of parenting time
• Private school tuition and significant extracurricular activity costs, if applicable
• The number of shared children
• Any special needs of the children

The parents' combined gross income and number of children will be used to determine basic child support obligation amounts according to Virginia's statutes. Further calculations can be made based on parenting time and parental income percentages. Child support may be paid until a child reaches the age of 18 or reaches the age of 19 and has graduated from high school. There may be other circumstances and conditions impacting the determination of child support. For example, in cases involving significant and substantial disability, child support may be extended. Your attorney can help you calculate child support accurately.

How Parenting Time Can Affect Virginia Child Support Calculations

The time your children spend with you physically during your parenting time reflects how much you will need to spend to provide for your children's essential needs. If you have primary custody and earn less than your co-parent, you will likely receive child support payments. Our attorney will calculate child support accurately based on both parents' income and parenting time. Using precise figures can ensure that child support will reflect your children's needs while protecting your financial interests.

Potential Issues With Child Support Cases

Unfortunately, not every case involving child support goes smoothly. We can represent either party in situations such as:

• One parent hiding income or deliberately taking a low-paying job to try to reduce their child support obligations
• Child support for unwed parents
• Either or both parents relying on self-employment income
• Either or both parents regularly receiving overtime income, bonuses, or commissions

Disputes related to child support may arise, but it is important to remember that the support is intended to benefit the children, not the parents. Carol A. N. Breit, Attorney at Law, can help you focus on what is best for your children and ensure that the most reasonable legal solutions can be provided to meet each child's needs.

Reviewing, Modifying, and Enforcing Virginia Child Support Orders

Even when you carefully consider your finances and parenting time to arrive at an initial child support figure, circumstances can change as time passes. Carol A. N. Breit, Attorney at Law, can help with various situations that may arise, such as substantial changes in income for either or both parents, one parent being unable to work due to an illness or injury, irregular or missed child support payments, and unexpected child-related expenses.

We can represent either parent whether you want to request a post-divorce modification in your child support orders, need assistance enforcing your orders, or want to review your orders to ensure that your and your children's best interests are still being protected.

Contact Our Child Support Lawyer Serving Richmond and Other Surrounding Cities and Counties

As a family law firm, we will prioritize your children's needs and best interests. We will work with you to ensure that your child support agreement meets those goals. Contact Carol A. N. Breit, Attorney at Law, by calling 804-282-9226 to discuss your case and explore your options.