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Child Support Enforcement & Adjustment

Child support is a requirement for all divorced parents with shared children in the United States, but the specific laws in Utah may vary compared to the rest of the country. It’s essential to know your rights when it comes to child support enforcement in Utah so that you’re sure that you’re receiving or paying the correct amount. 

What Is Child Support Enforcement?

When a married couple with children gets divorced, the court grants the children to live with one of the parents full-time. This parent is referred to as the primary or custodial caregiver. The other parent, who is called the noncustodial parent, must pay a court-ordered monthly sum to the primary caregiver to help support in handling expenses for their children. When assessing the amount of child support to be paid, the court examines both parents’ income and expenses to ensure that the amount is fair to both parties.

Child support might cover a variety of expenses, such as:

  • Basic necessities
  • Medical care, including birthing costs
  • Educational fees
  • Childcare
  • Transportation
  • Travel
  • Entertainment
  • Extracurricular activities
  • College expenses

Child support intends to protect children from the economic impact of divorce. Instead of going from a two-income household to a one-income household, the court will try to emulate what life was like before the divorce financially. This means that the children won’t face any financial consequences because of their parents’ divorce and will still be able to experience normal activities without cutting costs.

What Can Happen If You Don’t Pay?

Although it depends on the reason why and how much you haven’t paid, the noncustodial parent can face severe consequences if they don’t comply with the child support agreements, such as:

  • Wage garnishment
  • Property liens
  • License suspension
  • Tax refund interception
  • Jail time

The last thing the court wants is for the children to suffer as a result of unpaid child support, which is why child support enforcement in Salt Lake City and Utah at large is so strict. If you are not receiving payments or are having trouble making these payments, then be sure to contact Schmidt Law Firm right away. 

Can You Adjust Child Support?

You can adjust child support, but it’s a lengthy process. Modifications depend on changes in both the parents’ situations, which might include:

  • A change in the child’s medical needs
  • The paying parent’s illness or disability
  • A substantial increase or decrease in either parent’s income
  • If the child changes residences, like to the paying parent’s home

Child support modifications require proof of changes and a petition that must go to the court. In Utah, the court must have jurisdiction to modify the support, which means that additional paperwork is required if the adjustment involves a parent who’s residing in another state. Be sure to check with a child support calculator to estimate your needs. 

Contact Schmidt Law Firm Today

If you are struggling with child support enforcement in the Salt Lake City area, then be sure to contact Schmidt Law Firm or call us at 801-905-8354 right away. Our passionate team has expertise in family law and are ready to utilize their best resources to get you the compensation you and your family deserve.

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