Child Support in Boston, MA

What Is Child Support?

Child support is a financial obligation that a parent has to pay to support her or his child. This continues as they age and mature. Are you the parent who has custody of your son or daughter currently? If so, then the court will assume that the child receives full financial support while residing in your residence.

However, if your child does not live in your house and she or he is not currently under your custody, the court may require you to pay child support to the custodial parent. The Probate and Family Courts in Massachusetts hear the majority of child support cases. If you are going through a child support dispute in Boston, you most likely will come before the Suffolk Probate and Family Court.

In , Massachusetts this means that you have to make payments to the custodial parent until your child reaches adulthood. There are other situations where you may only have to make payments until the courts have legally declared your child as emancipated or your daughter or son goes into military active duty. Keep in mind that if your child has special needs, there may be a requirement that you have to make child support payments past the legal age of adulthood.

Terminating Rights

Do you wonder if you can terminate your parental rights and not pay child support? Most states will not allow a parent to do this and cease support unless certain requirements are met. There may be some situations where a court terminates financial responsibilities if both parents agree that one party no longer has to provide financial support to their shared son or daughter. One situation where a parent may be able to terminate her or his responsibility to child support is if someone else, like a stepparent, adopts the child.

The Laws of Massachusetts state that a parent can be deemed unfit and stripped of parental rights if their continued rights are not serving the best interests of the child. Termination generally involves negligent or abusive behavior, but can also be triggered by excessive use of drugs or alcohol. Felony conviction may also bring the termination of parental rights for Boston residents.

Do you believe that the other parent has violated your rights to receive child support? Then get immediate legal help from an experienced Boston lawyer on standby in your area who can help you fight for your child’s right to financial stability.

How a Boston, Massachusetts Child Support Attorney Can Help You

If you constantly struggle to get the other parent to pay, hiring a lawyer can help you learn about your available options and guide you on the best decision for your son or daughter.

Many people struggle with parents who refuse to pay. Hiring an experienced and dedicated lawyer will bring you professional help while navigating the legal system. Additionally, you may also have an easier time getting the money your child needs and deserves to better ensure a stable childhood.

The Child Support Enforcement Division of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue is responsible for collecting child support that is past due. Failure to pay court ordered child support is not only a dereliction of responsibility, but can have several negative effects that touch many aspects of your life. You can see a reduction in credit score and have your wages garnished. You could also have your income tax refunds withheld, or even your bank account seized in certain situations. An experienced attorney in Boston can help you if you’ve fallen behind in your payments.

Whether you look to receive child support payments as a part of an agreed-upon divorce settlement or you are not married and look to receive financial support, hiring a legal professional in Boston with a background in child support can help to streamline the entire process. Without the help of a legal advocate, the cost of living can quickly drain your bank account. You could also risk causing traumatic experiences for your unsupported children.

Working with an attorney can help you to:

• Establish paternity
• Answer a child support petition
• File a petition for support
• Request a child support order
• Explain the tax consequences that come with a child support order
• Work with the other parent to reach an agreement
• Represent you in court
• Locate the other parent
• Subpoena the other parent’s financial information
• Prove income
• Determine any factors that a court will look at to calculate how much is owed
• Educate you on the available child support enforcement options
• Give you an estimate of how much financial support you may receive from the other parent

Do you believe that you deserve to receive payment from the other parent? Or that you are not receiving a sufficient amount? If you have to answer, yes, then make every effort to avoid missing what your kid deserves. Work with a dedicated Boston, Massachusetts lawyer who fights for your rights as well as your child’s rights.

Information to Share With Your Lawyer

As you work with your lawyer, make sure you share proper documentation to better ensure that you can properly proceed with your case in Boston. The information that you need to share with your attorney includes:

• Check stubs for the last two years or more if applicable
• Outstanding debts
• A change in debt, such as filing for bankruptcy
• Paternity records
• Adoption records
• Previous child support payment records
• Bonds, stocks or any retirement account records
• Tax return records
• Purchase of sale records for a home, land or any other type of assets
• Any child support forms that you have

The State of Massachusetts provides online guidance for both custodial and non-custodial parents in Boston when it comes to calculating child support. Typically, the non-custodial parent will pay child support, and it’s based on the parents gross income and the number of children in the house. Custody Xchange also provides an online calculator to help those in Boston try to get a rough estimate of their monthly payments.

Work with an Experienced Local Lawyer in Boston, Massachusetts

Are you facing a costly and emotional child support battle? Talk to a Boston attorney equipped to help you in this delicate situation. Call now or fill out the simple form below to take steps to protect your children’s interests. Learn more about your child support law options below.

One of our expert Boston attorneys will help to navigate you through the legal system to get you the money you and your kid should have. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Massachusetts state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!