Greenville child support lawyer J. Michael Turner, Jr. helps parents establish, modify, and enforce child support orders. We are taking new cases. Contact us today for a consultation about your situation, and to speak with a family law attorney in Greenville that is familiar with these cases.
A child support order should be accurate, and parents should understand the basis for the order. They should know their rights and what actions they can take in regard to child support. Turner Family Law is committed to all these goals. Lawyer Michael Turner represents parents in child support cases in Greenville, SC, and the surrounding areas. He can protect your rights and advocate for you.
Lawyer For Child Support in Greenville, SC
South Carolina uses guidelines to determine child support amounts. The court does not have the authority to award any amount they think is fair. They must follow the South Carolina Child Support Guidelines, however, there are other factors that may be taken into account.
A child support order is not just a simple calculation. There are many things that can impact the total amount paid like overnights with the children, gross income inclusions and exclusions, bonuses and in-kind benefits, health expenses, and other minor children that require support. There may be times when it is appropriate to deviate from the formulaic amount.
As your lawyer for child support in Greenville, SC, Michael Turner thoroughly reviews these factors. He determines whether your child support amount has been properly calculated and explains it to you. If there are special considerations, he prepares the evidence to submit to the court. The goal is to have the court understand the true circumstances so that they can fairly follow the guidelines.
The court may not have the correct financial information. It is possible for them to make a mistake or have an oversight. Turner Family Law can ensure that the relevant inputs are identified. Then, we can take legal action on your behalf to pursue the correct amount of support.
Examples of Child Support Issues
Here are some child support issues that may need special attention:
- Gross income of parents, what should be included or excluded
- Potential income if a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed
- Business ownership, self-employment, and the expenses of running a business that reduces the income available to pay support
- In-kind benefits like a car or free housing
- Costs of travel if parents live a significant distance apart
- Who should maintain health care and how the costs should be added or deducted
- Unreimbursed medical expenses and how they are credited in the formula
- Discretionary medical expenses like orthodontia and counseling
- Reasonable daycare expenses
- Credit for other natural or adopted children in the home
- Deductions or additions for alimony payments including from other cases
- Ensuring that final calculations are complete and error-free
- Situations where it is appropriate to deviate from the formula
For a child support calculation to be correct, two things must be true. First, the court needs the correct inputs. They must use the correct income, exclusions, and additions. Second, calculations must be done accurately. When we represent you, we review the court’s determination in detail. If we need to take your case to court, we gather the necessary evidence and advocate on your behalf.
South Carolina Child Support Laws and Guidelines
South Carolina uses an “income shares” model to determine child support. The basis for the guidelines is that children whose parents are separated deserve the same financial resources that they would have if their parents lived together. The formulaic amounts are determined by economic research and modeling.
At the most basic level, child support takes the following factors into account:
- Gross income
- Number of children subject to the order
- Who has primary physical custody, shared parenting arrangements
- Health insurance
- Daycare expenses
While this is a basic summary of what goes into a child support determination, arriving at the correct amount is often complicated. Gross income may include seasonal or variable income, for example. Health insurance and daycare expenses must be correctly calculated. A parent may try to position themselves to inappropriately increase or decrease a support award. The other parent must identify and counter these efforts.
Child Support Establishment
If you are establishing child support for the first time, Greenville lawyer Michael Turner can review the factors used to calculate support so that you fully understand a range of what the court may order.
We handle cases involving requests for deviation from the child support formula.
Child support modification
Once a child support order is established, it may be appropriate to modify it. The court will revisit a child support award if the circumstances change. Usually, that means a change in the income of a parent or the needs of the child. The change must be significant.
Generally, the court will only modify a child support order back to when a motion for modification is filed, at the earliest. That means if you lose your job or otherwise have a reason the amount should change, it is important not to hesitate to seek a modification.
Child support arrears
A contempt action may be possible when a parent is behind on court-ordered child support. Our lawyer can assist your efforts to responding to allegations of willful nonpayment, or pursue enforcement of child support arrears or back child support.
Child support enforcement
Turner Family Law can assist you with child support enforcement. You may need to enforce an order when you are owed support. You may need to respond when you are facing an enforcement action. Our law firm can assist you.
Consultation with a Greenville Child Support Lawyer
Having the right child support order is important to your children and the entire family.
Michael Turner has years of litigation experience in the family courts. As a divorced father himself, he understands that child support is an important part of the entire picture. It is his goal for you and your children to receive justice. That means having an amount that is determined correctly and in compliance with the South Carolina child support guidelines.
We invite you to contact us for a consultation. We will talk about the specifics of your case and see how we can assist you with child support. Call or send us a message now.
