It’s important for parents to remain financially supportive of their children, even after a divorce is finalized. This is why child support payments are so common in the event of a divorce. However, each couple’s divorce is unique and child support is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. It’s incredibly important to hire a skilled, experienced family law expert like the professionals here at Oxendine Law to help you navigate your divorce proceedings and child support responsibilities. Below, we have detailed a few common and most costly mistakes regarding child support that people make following a divorce.

Withholding or Deducting Payments

Oftentimes, the parent responsible for paying child support asks if they can withhold payments due to the other parent withholding parenting time or otherwise not following the Court’s Order. The answer is NO! You cannot deduct monies owed for expenses (such as medical expenses or extracurricular expenses) either. If those type of circumstances arise, its best to seek advice from an attorney and it may even be possible to legally modify your child support payments.

Not Using Court-Appointed Methods For Payments

At the time that a child support order is issued, the court will provide options for how child support payments should be made. These guidelines should be followed every time you make a payment. It’s important to have an official documentation of the payments that you have made, even if you and your ex have a cordial post-divorce relationship. Additionally, gifts cannot be substituted for on-time and up-to-date child support payments.

Not Hiring The Right Attorney

Child support payments are determined by a complex formula consisting of many factors. It’s essential to have an experienced and knowledgeable family law attorney there to make sure you’re not required to pay any more than you should.

No matter which side of a child support dispute that you are on, keeping the wellbeing of your children in mind can be incredibly helpful. After all, child support only exists to make sure that children are being looked out for during a difficult time for the family. For more information, contact Oxendine Law at (770) 497-8688 today to schedule a meeting in-person, over the phone, or by video conference. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for additional family law tips, news, and more helpful information.