Columbia Child Support Lawyer

When you’re going through a divorce, your children are your top priority. It’s important to remember that young people don’t understand the process of divorce, and they feel confused, hurt, angry, and many other negative emotions when finding out that their parents are separating. As parents, its paramount to ensure that your kids feel supported and cared for physically, emotionally and financially.  In order to stay strong for your children, parents need to feel comfortable navigating through the separating and divorce process.  Working with a seasoned and confedent family law lawyer is essential. Experienced child support attorney Zhanna A. Maydanich is your best resource for legal advice in Columbia, MD.

Concerned about Child Support? We’re Here to Help

You don’t have to navigate the child support process alone. At ZM Law Group, we offer comprehensive family law services, such as drafting and negotiating separation agreements involving all issues in your divorce. If unable to amicable resolve your issues, we agressively advocate on behalf of our client in Court regarding custody, child support. alimony and distribution of marital property. If your seperation of divorce dispute involves children, we strongly believe that your child deserves to be emotionally and financially supported by both parents. Therefore, when making child support decisions in your case, it is vital to take your child’s best interests into account to ensure that their needs are met during and after a divorce.

Does Child Support Cover All Expenses?

Child support decisions are made through mutual agreements or by the Court. Ultimately the Court approves any child support agreements which ensure and safeguard your child’s best interest. Both parents are held responsible for equitibaly contributing the child’s financial needs like food, shelter, education and medical needs.  Furthermore, both parents are held responsible for covering expenses related to education, day-care expenses, after-school activities, hobbies or sports. Medical expenses like health insurance coverage and extraordinary medical needs are also factored into any child support obligation approved or imposed by the Maryland Court.

How will the Courts Determine Child Support?

Each party’s child support obligation is based upon several factors which are applied pursuant to a formula taking into account both parents’ respective financial situation and ability to contribute towards their children’s financial needs. The Court utilizes the Maryland Child Support Guidelines formula to ensure that each parent is shouldering the appropriate financial contribution for the care of their children. The formula takes into accont the following factors:

• Daycare/schooling costs
• Extraordinary medical expenses
• Extracurricular Activities (Sports, Clubs, etc.)
• Hobbies (Music, Gymnastics, etc.)
• Health Insurance costs
• Costs related to special needs

However, in the event of special circumstances and depending upon the combined income of the parties, the Maryland Courts may consider additional factors when establishing child support obligations for each parent. Additionally,  special considerations may be taken into account if your child has special needs, a medical condition warranting additional expense, or if one parent has seasonal income. These exceptional circumstances should be discussed with Zhanna A. Maydanich, your Columbia Child Support lawyer as soon as possible so that they can be considered appropriately during your case.

Can Child Support Payments Be Changed Down the Line?

Once the court establishes a child support obligation, you are obligated to pay this child support amount until the child either (1) reaches adulthood at the age of 18 or graduates high school, which ever is last to ocurr, (2) is no longer living, or  (3) the child is emancipated. However, either parent can request to modify the amount of child support by filing a Request for Modification of Child Support with the Court if there is a change of circumstances which warrants a change in child support. The court may modify the child support amount by considering a change of any of any or all of the following factors:

• Involuntary decrease or loss of income
• An increase of income for one or both parents
• Changes in custody arrangements
• Increases in expesnes necessary to care for the child

If you’re not sure if your particular situation calls for a change in your child support payments, contact an experienced child support lawyer at ZM Law Group today. We can help determine whether or not your child support payments have been fairly established or whether a modification is warranted. We can explain your options available to you.

Are There Penalties for Not Paying Child Support?

If the court determines that you are financially obligated to pay the mandated child support, then you are required by law to do so. Failure to comply may result in penalties which include suspension of your Maryland driver’s license, additional fees, or even jail time. After all, child support payments are a Court Order and failure to obey a court’s Order has serious consequences. If you have questions about your situation or you do not believe that you are financially capeable of making your child support payments, Zhanna A Maydanich at ZM Law Group is ready to help you.

Call on a Columbia Child Support Attorney You Can Trust

Child Support is an important issue in all divorce cases. It makes a huge difference in the lives of all the members of your family. Whether you’re facing a child support case or you have questions about your upcoming divorce and your rights regarding paying or receiving child support, call on an experienced Child Support Lawyer at ZM Law Group.