Child Support in Durham, NC

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. Child support cases in Durham are handled by the Durham County Family Court.

In , North Carolina 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.

A Durham court can terminate parental rights only if certain criteria are met. Under North Carolina law, there are 11 legal grounds for the termination of parental rights. Some of these include:

  • Abuse or neglect
  • Abandonment
  • Incapacity to provide proper care and supervision
  • Murder, voluntary manslaughter, or felony assault of the other parent, the child, or another child in the home

Durham parents can also voluntarily relinquish their parental rights as part of an adoption proceeding.

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

How a Durham, North Carolina 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 Durham County Child Support Department is responsible for establishing and enforcing child support orders in Durham. In addition, they can help with establishing paternity or locating the other parent. The most common and effective method of enforcing a child support order is income withholding. In addition, liens can be placed on the delinquent parent’s property or they can be reported to the credit bureaus. In extreme cases, a court action for contempt may be filed. Be aware, the consequences for contempt can include hefty fines, or even jail time.

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 Durham 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 and involve 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 Durham, North Carolina 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 Durham. 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

Durham child support payments are determined using North Carolina’s Child Support Guidelines. A formula takes into account the incomes of both parents, as well as the number of children. Three different Worksheets are available, depending on the custody arrangement. A Durham court will finalize a total support obligation, and each parent’s percentage of that total. If one parent has primary custody, the other parent typically pays their entire obligation to the custodial parent. In joint or split custody cases, the parent with the higher support obligation may have to pay the difference to the other parent.

Work with an Experienced Local Lawyer in Durham, North Carolina

Are you facing a costly and emotional child support battle? Talk to a Durham 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 Durham 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 North Carolina 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!

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