Arizona Child Support Lawyers
Although Arizona has tried to make child support calculations straightforward by using mandated guidelines, there are still areas of uncertainty. This is important when one or both of the parents is self-employed. The attorneys at the Tempe firm, Harmon Law Office, are aggressive in identifying all sources of income that should be used to calculate the amount of child support to be paid or received.
Contact us at 480-829-0494. Your initial consultation is always free.
Factors in Arizona child support calculations
Arizona law assumes that with parental rights come parental responsibilities and that both parents will support the child. The calculator uses factors such as:
- Income of both parents
- Other support payments paid or received
- Alimony paid or received
- Health insurance costs for children
- Cost of childcare
- Extra education expenses
- Extraordinary child expenses for special needs children
- Number of children age 12 or over
- Month and year of youngest child's birthday
- Number of parenting time days per year
- Court-ordered arrears paid by the non-custodial parent
Using experts to verify clients' child support requests
We ensure that the information required by the guidelines is correct. This frequently requires us to use specialists such as business valuators and forensic accountants. Having an unbiased third party opinion is often very convincing to the court. We also help when paternity is questioned, arranging for the simple test that can confirm or deny fatherhood and responsibility for child support.
Modifying child support when situations change
Our firm also helps clients modify an existing order for child support. Parents can request a hearing to modify a support order when there has been a substantial change in the parties' circumstances. Such changes can include changes in income, changes in the child's needs due to illness or disability or changes in parenting time. We represent clients at hearings about modification requests.
Holding down costs
We recommend mediation and other alternative dispute resolution methods that are both cost-effective and less confrontational. However, we are always prepared to litigate support disputes when that is most likely to achieve the desired outcome. If you have questions about child support, contact Harmon Law Office for sound advice and representation. Call us at 480-829-0494.
