Helping Parents Navigate Child Support Matters in Rock Hill, SC
Child support is an essential part of every co-parenting arrangement, making sure the custodial parent has the financial means to provide for the children. South Carolina law has specific rules about how child support is calculated and paid. Collaborating with an attorney can be a useful tool for parents because the attorney can help them understand how much they may pay or receive in child support.
Turner Family Law provides tailored legal representation to individuals and families involved in child support and co-parenting arrangements. We can help you create a new proposed order, change or terminate an existing one, or file an enforcement action.
How Child Support Works in South Carolina
Child support is a way for one parent to pay to provide financial assistance to the other parent so they have enough to provide for the children. While many people believe the husband or father is automatically responsible for paying child support, this is not the case. Child support is need-based, and the court uses a systematic approach to determine which parent is responsible for paying child support.
What Is Child Support Intended to Cover?
Child support is intended to cover many of the costs of raising the children. This includes a portion of their health insurance, medical care, educational expenses, food, and clothing. In contrast, alimony or spousal maintenance payments can serve to help a financially dependent spouse provide for their own needs after the divorce.
Who Pays Child Support and How It’s Calculated
The court uses a formula to determine who pays child support. For example, if one parent has primary physical custody of the children, the non-custodial parent may have to pay child support. If both parents share custody, but only one parent is financially independent, the court may require the higher-paid spouse to pay child support to the other.
Overview of SC Child Support Guidelines
South Carolina law has a formula that the court uses to set the child support amount and schedule. For example, the process typically begins by adding up the paying spouse’s qualifying income, like their salary and bonuses, and subtracting various deductions, like spousal maintenance payments. Then, the court might add up the children’s expenses, like health insurance and schooling.
Why Choose Turner Family Law for Child Support Cases?
Turner Family Law understands how challenging it can be to create and implement co-parenting plans in the aftermath of a divorce or break-up. Our founding attorney is a divorced dad, so he can appreciate where his child support clients are at. His team provides the following to its clients:
- Advocating for fair, sustainable support orders
- Experience with Rock Hill family court cases
- Responsive, client-centered service
We create a partnership with our clients, so they feel empowered and supported during the family law process.
Our Child Support Legal Services
Our family law firm provides a host of legal services to people throughout Rock Hill and York County, including:
- Establishing new support orders
- Modifying existing support arrangements
- Enforcing child support orders in Rock Hill
- Resolving back support or payment disputes
Our team is equipped to help people achieve a fair outcome in their child support case. We can file the required forms and present your case to a family law judge.
Supporting Families Across Rock Hill and York County
We have assisted dozens of clients through the process of establishing, enforcing, and modifying child support orders. Catherine Chaplin had this to say about her time working with us:
“I recently hired Michael Turner for a complex out-of-state custody case and was extremely happy with how it went. Michael was supportive, responsive, and reassuring throughout the entire process, and I felt like he genuinely cared about me, my children, and the outcome of the case. I wouldn’t hesitate to use him again or recommend him to others.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support in Rock Hill
How is child support calculated in SC?
The court uses predetermined guidelines (a formula) to calculate child support. Factors the court looks at include the number of children, whether one parent is receiving alimony, and the child custody arrangement.
Can I change my support order if my income changes?
Yes. You may be able to adjust your existing child support order if your income changes. However, you have to ask the court for permission to modify the support order first.
What happens if child support isn’t paid?
If child support isn’t paid, the paying spouse may have to pay arrears, pay interest, or be subjected to other fines or penalties.
Does joint custody affect child support payments?
Yes. The child custody arrangement can impact how much someone has to pay in child support.
Schedule a Consultation With a Rock Hill Child Support Lawyer
If you have questions about child support, reach out to our team today by calling 864-778-2734. Turner Family Law has been trusted by dozens of people in South Carolina in co-parenting situations.
We respect the autonomy and individuality of the family unit, and we seek to create solutions that are practical and fitting of the families they are made for. We welcome the chance to work with you during this time.
