Child Support

Child Support Attorneys in Melrose, MA

Helping Clients With Their Child Support Legal Issues

Massachusetts child support laws stipulate that a non-custodial parent must contribute to their child’s financial well-being. This is usually accomplished by the non-custodial parent making regular fixed payments to the custodial parent. It is fairly common for parents to have disputes that center around the amount that the non-custodial parent should be required to pay. If you are facing issues in obtaining the child support that is owed to you or feel that you need a modification of your child support order, contact Martino Law Group, LLC, as soon as possible.00 We will be happy to schedule a Consultation with you and review the factors involved in your case.

Child support issues can quickly get beyond your control. We can assist you by explaining your rights and any legal options you may have.

How Child Support Amounts Are Calculated Under Massachusetts Guidelines

One of the most common questions parents ask a child support attorney is how the court determines the amount one parent must pay. Understanding how Massachusetts guidelines work can help you evaluate whether your current child support order accurately reflects your financial circumstances and your child’s needs.

Massachusetts uses an income shares model that considers both parents’ gross incomes to calculate child support obligations. The guidelines factor in each parent’s earnings, the number of children requiring support, health insurance costs, child care expenses, and the parenting time arrangement in place. The formula is designed to ensure that children receive the same proportion of financial support they would have received if the family remained intact.

However, the guidelines aren’t applied in a vacuum. A family court judge has discretion to deviate from the standard calculation when special circumstances warrant it. For example, if a child has extraordinary medical needs, educational expenses, or if one parent has significant financial responsibilities from a prior marriage, the court may adjust the child support amount accordingly.

Parents who believe they are paying too much child support or receiving too little should consult a child support lawyer who can review the specific numbers and determine whether the current order aligns with the state guidelines. Our child support attorneys in Melrose, MA at Martino Law Group can evaluate your situation and advise you on whether a modification may be appropriate. Contact our law office to schedule a consultation.

How Can a Child Support Order Be Modified in Massachusetts?

If a legitimate need should arise that warrants a modification of child support, the specific amount can be determined between the two parties involved. However, if an agreement cannot be amicably resolved, the amount is then determined by the application of the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines. These guidelines involve a number of factors used to make a calculation of the payment amount.

Non-custodial parents are also expected to contribute to the general upkeep of the child in the form of clothing, transportation, or other items that they may be in need of. These items do not count toward actual child support. However, additional expenses that involve the child and their well-being may count toward the child support amount.

A modification of child support is permitted under any of the reasons set forth under the Guidelines:

  • The amount specified in the current order is inconsistent with the amount that would result from applying the guidelines.
  • Healthcare that was previously ordered is no longer available
  • Previously ordered healthcare insurance is no longer offered at a reasonable rate or without creating undue hardship.
  • The parent now has access to healthcare coverage that was previously unavailable.
  • Another type of substantial change in circumstances has occurred.

It is a myth that getting remarried automatically warrants a modification to child support payments. When the custodial parent remarries, the court does not consider the new spouse’s income when calculating child support obligations.

Marriage can warrant a modification when:

  • The custodial parent has reduced financial obligations because costs are shared.
  • The birth of a child from the new marriage may justify an adjustment, but it is not guaranteed.
  • Quitting a job or cutting hours after remarriage, which the court will likely scrutinize closely.

Modifications to child support agreements are complicated, and you need an attorney with a keen legal eye to determine whether the new circumstances warrant a modification. Martino Law Group, LLC, can help you determine if new circumstances warrant a new child support agreement during your Consultation.

What Happens if a Person Does Not Pay Court-Ordered Child Support in Massachusetts?

Paying child support is a legal obligation, and if the non-custodial parent does not pay, they can be held in contempt of court, fined, or incarcerated. In addition, their driver’s license and any professional licenses they may hold may be suspended. If non-payment continues for an extended period of time, they also run the risk of having criminal charges brought against them.

Child Support Enforcement (CSE) has a variety of options that they can choose from in order to obtain child support payments from parents who may be in arrears. Some of the many possibilities include:

  • Suspending your license
  • Attaching your bank accounts
  • Increasing the amount withheld from your paycheck by 25%
  • Charging interest and penalties on the overdue amount
  • Seizing your personal property
  • Placing a lien on real estate or other personal property
  • Intercepting your tax refunds
  • Filing a complaint for contempt of court

Can Visitation Be Refused When Child Support Isn’t Paid?

In Massachusetts, child custody, child support, and visitation are all separate legal matters. That means the custodial parent cannot refuse a visitation order just because child support has not been paid. Similarly, a parent cannot refuse to pay child support because visitation was refused.

You may be wondering where that leaves you if your visitation rights are being ignored. The best thing you can do is keep a level head. When emotions flare, and your temper gets away from you, it will likely be used against you by your former partner. Instead, keep communication in recorded channels, such as text messages, and record each instance of missed visitation. Bring the visitation violation to the attention of the family court, along with any evidence you have. And seek representation for this legal issue from an experienced family law attorney.

When Does Child Support End in Massachusetts?

In most child support situations, support ends when a child reaches the age of 18. However, Massachusetts recognizes special circumstances, and the court may determine that payments should continue until the child turns 21. This is contingent upon the child living with the parent and being dependent on them for ongoing support.

The court also has the legal authority to order that child support payments continue up until the child is age 23 if they are enrolled full-time in a higher learning institution education program. In these types of scenarios, the judge has the authority to make a decision based on their own personal discretion.

Some more common reasons for child support to end include:

  • The child stops living with the parent who receives child support
  • The child begins living with the parent who has been paying child support
  • The child is no longer financially dependent on either parent

How Child Support Addresses Health Care Costs and Insurance in Massachusetts

Beyond the basic monthly payment, child support obligations in Massachusetts often include provisions for health care costs that many parents don’t fully understand until a dispute arises. Knowing how health insurance and medical expenses factor into your child support order can help you avoid unexpected conflicts with the other parent.

Under Massachusetts guidelines, the court typically assigns responsibility for maintaining health insurance coverage for the child to the parent who can obtain it at the most reasonable cost through their employer or another source. The cost of that insurance premium is factored into the overall child support calculation, meaning it directly affects the child support amount each parent is responsible for.

What catches many parents off guard are the uninsured medical expenses that fall outside regular coverage. Co-pays, dental work, orthodontics, vision care, therapy, and prescription costs must be divided between the parents. The court usually allocates these expenses proportionally based on each parent’s income, but the specific terms should be clearly outlined in your child support order to prevent future disputes.

When circumstances change, such as one parent losing employer-sponsored health insurance or a child developing ongoing medical needs, a child support modification may be necessary to reflect the new financial reality. Parents serving Melrose, Massachusetts, and the greater Boston area who are dealing with health care cost disputes should seek legal representation from a family law attorney who can protect the best interests of both the parent and the child. Contact Martino Law Group at (781) 531-8673 to discuss your child support needs with our experienced legal team.

Do You Need to Hire a Lawyer in Order to Obtain a Child Support Modification?

You can put in a request on your own to modify an existing child support order without the help of a lawyer. However, as with all matters that involve legal proceedings, it is always highly recommended that you first speak with a qualified family attorney before taking any further action on your own.

One important thing to remember about child support enforcement orders is that they are legal obligations that you are compelled by law to pay. If you and the other parent cannot agree to a modification harmoniously, then you may very well have to take the issue in front of a family court judge.

Having an experienced lawyer on your side can be greatly beneficial to you in many ways. A skilled child support attorney can review your case, look for any changes that may have occurred in your circumstances, and present them to the judge.

The attorneys of Martino Law Group, LLC, are highly qualified to handle cases involving parents seeking to change or modify their child support order. We can review all of the facts of the case and help determine how best to move forward to protect your interests and, most importantly, the best interests of the child.

Let Our Child Support Attorneys in Melrose, MA Protect Your Family’s Interests

Child support issues can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Whether you need to establish a new child support order, modify an existing arrangement, or enforce child support payments the other parent has failed to make, the family law attorneys at Martino Law Group are here to provide zealous advocacy on your behalf. We’ve spent years practicing law in Melrose, Massachusetts, and the greater Boston area, and we understand what’s at stake for you and your children.

Contact our law group by calling (781) 531-8673 and ask to schedule a Consultation with a member of our legal team.

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