Child Support Attorney Tracy Duell-Cazes is a Certified Family Law Specialist
Tracy Duell-Cazes is a child support lawyer serving the San Jose and Santa Clara Areas. Child support is a primary focus of divorce cases where a couple has children under the age of 18 years old. As a Certified Family Law Specialist, Tracy Duell-Cazes' practice focuses on all areas of Family Law including child support.
Child support payments are designed to split the costs of raising children between divorcing parents. Payments are paid by the non custodial parent to the custodial parent. Regardless of legal or physical child custody, the parent with whom the children reside most of the time is considered to the custodial parent.
Child support can become an extremely contentious issue, so you need to work with a family law attorney who is experienced in working with parents having issues or concerns with their current child support obligations.
As with most rulings, child support obligations can be adjusted if there is a change in circumstances, such as the non custodial parent gets laid off from work. Child support obligations can also be adjusted if a parent experiences a significant increase in salary.
Child support payments are designed to split the costs of raising children between divorcing parents. Payments are paid by the non custodial parent to the custodial parent. Regardless of legal or physical child custody, the parent with whom the children reside most of the time is considered to the custodial parent.
Child support can become an extremely contentious issue, so you need to work with a family law attorney who is experienced in working with parents having issues or concerns with their current child support obligations.
As with most rulings, child support obligations can be adjusted if there is a change in circumstances, such as the non custodial parent gets laid off from work. Child support obligations can also be adjusted if a parent experiences a significant increase in salary.
Child Support Payments Are Based On Guidelines and a Formula Set By California
A Family Court Judge will set the child support payment amount based on child support guidelines and a formula set by the State of California, which includes multiple variables. These variables include:
- Number of Children
- Physical Child Custody Arrangements
- Parent's Tax Liabilities
- If a Parent is Supporting Children from another Relationship
- The Child's Health Care Insurance Expenses
- The Parent's Mandatory Retirement Contributions and other Job-Related Expenses
- Any Additional Relevant Costs, which may include health care costs, daycare, travel expenses related to visitation, or parenting time.
The Amount of Child Support Can Be Modified Under Certain Circumstances
The court will never set the amount of child support in stone. The courts recognize that people’s circumstances change over time and could consider a child support modification under certain circumstances. Some factors that would affect the amount paid include:
The difficulty is agreeing on items in the Parenting Plan that would directly impact the formula, such as the amount of parenting time each parent receives and settling terms such as what numbers to base the formula.
- Loss of a job
- Change in the amount of parenting time each parent has
- A parent has a new baby
- Change in cost for health benefits premiums
The difficulty is agreeing on items in the Parenting Plan that would directly impact the formula, such as the amount of parenting time each parent receives and settling terms such as what numbers to base the formula.
For How Long Is Child Support Paid?
Typically, a parent will continue to pay child support until a child turns 18 years old. There are several exceptions to this child support guideline. Courts may extend support until 19 years of age if the child is still in school and is living at home.The courts may agree to discontinue a child support obligation early under certain circumstances, including if the child gets married or enters into a domestic partnership. Courts will also stop support if the child joins the military or otherwise becomes emancipated.
There are also times where parents may agree, or a parent may petition the court to extend support beyond 19 years if the child has special needs or a disability where the child is not able to become self-supporting.
There are also times where parents may agree, or a parent may petition the court to extend support beyond 19 years if the child has special needs or a disability where the child is not able to become self-supporting.
Contact Tracy Duell-Cazes at TDC Family Law for a Free Initial Consultation
Finding a Family Law Certified Child Support Attorney is essential to your child support case. We offer a free initial consultation. When Tracy represents you, you will be sure that you are dealing with an experienced professional how has the best your best interests, and that of your children at heart. Call the Law Office of Tracy Duell-Cazes today at 408.267.8484.
