Child custody comes with rights and responsibilities. The family courts in Georgia are interested in seeing that a child tied to a divorce or custody case has access to a stable home environment, adequate healthcare, and proper education. In contested cases, an Ellijay child custody lawyer can help present a compelling case to protect your parental rights and secure the most appropriate arrangement for your child’s future.
The family law team at Sevcech understands the importance of balancing the financial cost of child-rearing between both parents. When your child becomes sick and needs to visit Piedmont Mountainside Hospital, the other parent should pay their fair share of those medical costs.
In other cases, one parent may believe that they are being asked to take on an unfair financial burden when it comes to child support. Whatever your primary concern, we’re here to provide effective and strategic legal support to help you achieve your goals in court.
Gilmer County has 12,612 households, and the children in those homes require financial support to maintain a reasonable standard of living. During a divorce or when establishing custody rights, the courts seek to ensure that the child receives financial support from both parents. This is often done by ordering the non-custodial parent to pay child support to the custodial parent.
The courts consider many factors, including the income of both parents and how parenting time is split when assessing how much child support is appropriate and who should pay. These payments can reduce the financial burden on the primary caretaker and improve the quality of life for the child.
Once child support is established through a court order, both parents are required to abide by the terms of the order. Any parent who fails to pay child support risks being brought before the court through an enforcement action that could result in fines, wage garnishment, loss of driving privileges, or even jail time.
Whether you are seeking child support or fighting it, the quality of your legal representation can greatly influence the outcome of your case. For parents seeking child support, your attorney can use financial records to show the disparity between your income and the other parent’s and remind the court that you have taken on a significant child-rearing responsibility.
If you are fighting child support, your lawyer can ensure the finances of both parties are accurately presented to the court so you are not misrepresented as earning more than you do. If you come to an agreement with the other parent, an attorney can play an important role by reviewing the final agreement to ensure it complies with your wishes.
Child support ensures that children receive the financial resources they need to thrive, but disputes over payments can arise. Our family law team is dedicated to providing strategic and effective legal representation to families throughout our community in Gilmer County, which includes over 30,000 residents. Contact Sevcech Law today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward securing a fair child support arrangement.