Southborough Child Support Attorneys

Navigating child support can be challenging no matter what side of it you are on. Those who need child support depend on it to provide for their child. Those who might have to pay child support face the possibility of receiving an order to make inflated payments to their former partner. If you are going through a divorce and seeking child support, have been ordered to pay, or wish to make modifications to an existing arrangement, you need the help of an experienced family law firm. 

At Miller Law Group, P.C., we have helped hundreds of families in Massachusetts find fair solutions tailored to their unique circumstances. Our Southborough child support lawyers are focused on protecting your rights and the best interests of your children, and we will never give up until we’ve explored every aspect of your case.

Need assistance with a child support matter? Call our Southborough child support attorneys today at (888) 874-2142 for a free consultation and learn how we can help.

How Do Massachusetts Courts Determine Who Pays Child Support? 

Massachusetts courts decide child support by determining what amount would be most beneficial for the children involved. Just like in child custody cases, the court will always rule in favor of what it sees as the “best interests of the child” over the best interests of either parent. The child's needs come first.

One parent is not automatically required to pay the other child support in Massachusetts. Instead, courts look at the living situations of each parent and decide who should pay child support so that their child can have the most comfortable life possible. The amount to be paid is determined by set calculations. 

When determining who will pay child support, the court examines the following factors: 

• Parenting time (custody and visitation)
• Each parent’s average income
• Additional revenue either parent earns (commissions, bonuses, etc.)
• The estimated cost of childcare
• Whether there are any extraordinary medical expenses
• The cost of the child's extracurricular activities
• Health insurance coverage for the child 
• The number of children involved 
• Whether one person is paying alimony to the other

When two parents share custody of a child, it could affect child support. To adjust for shared custody, courts look at the finances of each parent, how much time the child spends with them, and adjust the amount of child support accordingly. By doing this, the state hopes to make the quality of life between both homes consistent for the child.

Can Child Support Be Modified in Southborough, MA?

Financial situations can change for anyone. As such, Massachusetts allows modifications to child support arrangements. Financial changes might occur because of a new job, a new relationship, or the loss of a job.

In Southborough, the court might allow child support modifications if: 

• The amount would be different if it was recalculated using current standards
• Health insurance costs have changed, or were previously not available and are now
• One parent has lost a job or gained a new job 
• One parent has married or remarried 
• Any other substantial change has occurred in one or both parents' circumstances

Anything that causes a person to gain or lose income can change the amount of support they are required to pay or receive. It's important to work with an experienced child support lawyer in Southborough who can thoroughly represent your needs if you wish to seek a child support modification in Massachusetts.

Our Southborough Child Support Lawyers Can Help 

Whether you need child support or face the possibility of paying it, you should go into negotiations or court equipped with the legal help needed to fairly present your side. There is no such thing as winning a child support case. However, there is such a thing as obtaining a fair child support agreement. Our child support attorneys in Southborough are prepared to help you navigate this process while not only protecting your rights but also preserving the best interests of your children. We’ll look at your circumstances and explore them from every angle to be certain that your side of the story is heard. 

For a free consultation, call (888) 874-2142 or contact us online.