Child Support in Washington, D.C.

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 District of Columbia Family Court handles child custody and child support cases. The Family Court is a division of the District of Columbia Superior Court.

In Washington, D.C., 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.

Under the District of Columbia Code, parental rights may be terminated if the court determines it is in the best interests of the child. Specifically, if the parent abandons the child, knowingly places the child in danger, or fails to support the child, this may result in termination of rights. This may also occur if the parent is convicted of a felony or has murdered the other parent. Additionally, parental rights may be terminated if the parent has caused the child to be born addicted to drugs or alcohol.

Do you believe that the other parent has violated your rights to receive child support? Then get immediate legal help from an experienced Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C. 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 the District of Columbia, child support comes via a court order, typically as part of a child custody action. Additionally, D.C.’s Child Support Services Division (CSSD) can help you establish paternity and secure a child support court order. CSSD can also enforce payment in a number of ways including income withholding, tax refund intercept, and driver’s license and passport suspension. Additionally, CSSD can use lottery winnings intercept, property liens, and workers’ compensation intercept. If the non-custodial parent has willfully disobeyed the court’s order, CSSD may file a criminal case which could result in a one-year jail sentence.

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 Washington, D.C. 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 you might owe
• 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 Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C.. 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 the District of Columbia Code, Washington D.C. uses a hybrid model to determine child support payments. This model starts as a varying percentage of income model and is then reduced by a formula based on the custodial parent’s income. The District of Columbia offers a Child Support Guideline Calculator to help establish child support obligations for each parent. Child support can be paid by mail or online through the District of Columbia Child Support Clearinghouse.

Work with an Experienced Local Lawyer in Washington, D.C.

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 Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C. 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!