Child Support in Minnesota

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. Custody and child support cases in Minnesota are under the jurisdiction of the district courts. Depending on the county you reside in, your case may be heard in a special Family Court division.

In Minnesota, 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.

Minnesota Statute provides a list of circumstances that can justify termination of parental rights by the court. For example, rights may be terminated if the parent has abandoned the child. Rights may also be terminated if the child has experienced egregious harm in the parent’s care, indicating a lack of regard for the child’s well-being. Additionally, the court may terminate parental rights if the parent has repeatedly refused to provide the child with food, clothing, and shelter. Or education, and other care necessary for the child’s well-being.

If there is good cause, the court can also terminate the rights of a parent with the voluntary written consent of the parent. Of note, the Minnesota Courts explicitly state that they do not publish forms or instructions to start a court action to terminate parental rights.

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

Get in contact with us today to get in touch with an experienced legal advocate in your area.

How a Minnesota 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.

In Minnesota, child support can be obtained through a court order, typically as part of a child custody action. According to the Minnesota Courts, you may also apply for help from your local Child Support Office to get a child support order and collect payments. If you do not pay your child support, the Minnesota Child Support Office can garnish your wages or place a lien on your property. In addition, your driver’s license can be suspended, or you could even go to jail for contempt of court.

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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota. 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

Under Minnesota law, child support in the state is based on the Income Shares Model.  The court will determine the total amount of support required, based on basic living support, medical support, and childcare support needs. Each parent is then responsible for a percentage of the total child support, based on the proportion of their combined income. Minnesota’s Department of Human Services provides the Minnesota Child Support Guidelines Calculator to help estimate the monthly child support payments.

Work with an Experienced Local Lawyer in Minnesota

Are you facing a costly and emotional child support battle? Talk to an 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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!