Child Support in New Haven, CT
Child support can be confusing, even in the simplest or least-combative situations. Many factors influence how much someone pays, and there are regulations to consider.
Embark on a journey through this comprehensive guide with us today. We have details specifically for New Haven residents, and we can connect you with a local attorney. Your path to clarity, fair resolution, and peace of mind begins here.
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 local Superior Court within the Judicial District of New Haven hears child support cases. Generally, you can expect final decisions to come down from this judiciary.
In , Connecticut 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.
Here’s an overview of some of the grounds for terminating parental rights in New Haven:
- Abandoning a child
- Evidence of repeated abuse or severe neglect
- The inability to care for a child due to mental illness, addiction, or other issues
- Parents may voluntarily surrender their parental rights, often in cases of adoption.
- A conviction for certain crimes, especially those involving violence or sexual misconduct
Do you believe that the other parent has violated your rights to receive child support? Then get immediate legal help from an experienced New Haven lawyer on standby in your area who can help you fight for your child’s right to financial stability.
How a New Haven, Connecticut 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.
Here’s an outline of the process to obtain child support in Hartford. However, keep in mind that not all cases are the same:
- The process typically begins with filing a petition for child support with the Superior Court in Hartford County.
- The court will examine your case against the guidelines for calculating child support.
- A court hearing may happen to review the child support amount. The judge will evaluate all relevant information and make a final determination.
- Payments must occur as ordered by a judge. The state government may become involved to enforce the order.
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 New Haven 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 New Haven, Connecticut 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 New Haven. 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
A judge in New Haven will look at these details to calculate the child support payment. Generally, they use the following guidelines to create the order:
- Both parents’ net incomes
- Other expenses, like childcare, healthcare, education, and specific needs of the child.
- The court has the discretion to deviate from the guidelines if adhering to them would be inequitable
- Child support orders in Connecticut are subject to modification if there’s a substantial change in circumstances
Work with an Experienced Local Lawyer in New Haven, Connecticut
Are you facing a costly and emotional child support battle? Talk to a New Haven 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 New Haven 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 Connecticut 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!
