Bristol County Child Support Lawyer

Parents in Massachusetts are obligated to support their children. When parents divorce, child support will be an issue that needs to be addressed before the court can pass down a Judgment of Divorce. Child support can be a deeply contested divorce matter. Once a court decides on child custody, the noncustodial parent will likely have to pay more because of the extra cost of caring for the child more of the time. Child support cases are mostly determined by the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines. The calculations provide a clear picture of how child support will be structured. The courts of Massachusetts use these guidelines to further their focus on the main principle of always acting in the best interests of the child. For over 30 years, The Law Offices of Cynthia L. Hanley, P.C. has provided effective and diligent legal services to clients in Bristol County and Eastern Massachusetts. If you are a parent getting divorced, child support may be an issue you will have to resolve. If you need an experienced child support lawyer to represent your legal needs in and out of court, contact The Law Offices of Cynthia L. Hanley, P.C. for a consultation.

The Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines

When establishing the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines in 2018, the court gave proper consideration to:

1. Ensure parents are financially responsible for their children
2. Meet the child’s needs for survival and provide that child with a higher standard of living, if possible.
3. Minimize negative changes to the child’s standard of living
4. Protect a basic subsistence level of income of parents
5. Deviate from standard guidelines when necessary to tailor a child support order to a family’s unique circumstances
6. Recognize that parents should bear any additional expenses resulting from the maintenance of two separate households
7. Recognize the non-monetary contributions and involvement of both parents
8. Recognize the monetary and/or in-kind contributions of both parents in addition to the child support order
9. Recognize the importance, availability, and cost of health care coverage for the child
10. Promote simplicity and consistency in establishing and modifying child support orders
11. Streamline administration and minimize problems of proof.

Factors The Impact Child Support in MA

The calculation of child support takes many important factors into consideration. According to the state, the guidelines will assess factors including, but not limited to:

• Sources of income
• Earning capacity of each party
• Cost for childcare
• Cost of health insurance for the child
• Number of children
• Custody arrangement
• Child-related expenses

When Does Child Support End in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, child support is assumed to end on the child’s 18^th birthday. This is not set in stone and there are many instances, including a child engaged in higher education and other factors, that lead a court to extend the support obligation to the age of 23. If you are a parent who believes that their child no longer needs child support, you may request a court’s assessment on the emancipation of a child.

Contact a Bristol County Divorce Lawyer

The Law Offices of Cynthia L. Hanley, P.C. has over 30 years of experience representing clients in all divorce matters. Child support is one of the most significant legal matters divorcing parents must address. If you need a child support lawyer who has your best interest in mind and will zealously represent you in and out of court, contact The Law Offices of Cynthia L. Hanley, P.C. for a consultation today.