Spivak Law Firm

Based in Pittsburgh, PA

412-344-4900

Spivak Law Firm is BBB Accredited

Dormont Support Lawyer

Factors For Modifying Child Support

A child support order may be modified at any time based on a change in circumstance.

The following factors related to the child support order are considered:

  • The income of either parent significantly increases or decreases;
  • The child now has significant or continuing medical expenses;
  • Child care and/or medical insurance changes;
  • The parents are now living together; or
  • The child receiving support is 18-years-old and graduated from high school.

Spivak Law Firm routinely helps people at child support hearings by providing strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation.

For a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Pennsylvania Child Support Guidelines

The Pennsylvania Child Support Guidelines were developed with the principle that the children of separated, divorced or single parents should receive the same amount of parental support as if the parents were together.

The State Supreme Court issued these Guidelines for calculating how much child support a parent should pay.

The Guidelines are based on the needs of the child and the ability of the parents to provide child support until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. The incomes and assets of both parents are considered when the court establishes a support order.

Based in Pittsburgh, Spivak Law Firm handles all family law matters, including: divorce, child custody, child support, and Protection From Abuse (PFA).

For more information, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

What Is Child Support?

Child support is money a parent pays to help provide food, clothing and other things for his or her child.

Child support may include:

  • Medical support
  • Payment of uncovered medical bills
  • Contributions to child-care costs
  • Contributions to extra-curricular activity expenses

The amount of child support you owe or are entitled to receive depends on a variety of factors, such as the number of children, the child custody arrangement, and how much income each parents earns.

Spivak Law Firm provides strong, compassionate, cost-effective representation in all family law matters, including: divorce, child custody, child support, and Protection From Abuse (PFA).

To schedule a free consultation, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

Child Support: Earning Capacity

Q: Do I still have to pay child support if I’m unemployed?

A: Maybe. If a parent has no income, but is capable of working, the court can order child support based on that parent’s earning capacity. In this situation, the court may estimate what the unemployed parent could earn given his or her education, skills and prior employment history.

Other factors involve the child-custody arrangement and each parent’s expenses relative to their income levels.

Spivak Law Firm handles all family law matters, including: divorce, child custody, child support, Protection From Abuse (PFA), and Children Youth and Families (CYF). To schedule a consultation with an experienced family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.

How to Prepare for Your Support Hearing

200359488-001Prior to the support hearing, provide your family law attorney with paystubs, tax returns, W-2s, 1099 forms, bank statements, and other documentary evidence of your income. Be prepared to describe in detail your occupation or business, earnings, and job perks as well as your spouse’s business, earnings, and job perks. Do not overlook other sources of income such as investments, trusts, parental gifts, gratuities, and “under the table” income. In addition to understanding your financial status, your attorney will work with you to assess your realistic needs, goals, requirements, earning and earning capacities.

To speak with an Allegheny County family law attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.