Child Support

Arizona Child Support Attorneys

Child support is designed to ensure that the best interests and needs of the children are met. For more than 45 years, the law firm of Warner Angle Hallam Jackson & Formanek, PLC has protected and advanced the rights of parents as they move through a divorce or child-related legal dispute. We have the knowledge to help you address all issues involved in properly determining the correct child support amount.

E-mail us or call us at (602) 264-7101 to schedule a meeting with a Phoenix child support lawyer.

Calculating the Child Support Payment

Child support is calculated based on a formula mandated by the Arizona Supreme Court and set forth in the Arizona Child Support Guidelines. The results of the formula usually dictate the amount of child support you will pay. The actual amount, however, may go up or down according to your specific circumstances.

If both parties agree on the figures to be used in the formula, the calculation can be straightforward. At a minimum, the following information is needed:

• Mother's gross monthly income
• Father's gross monthly income
• Whether either parent has children from other relationships
• Whether any spousal maintenance is being paid between the parties
• The number of children, and if any children are age 12 or older
• The monthly premium cost of medical (and dental and vision) insurance that is attributable to just the children
• Child care/day care costs
• The parenting time schedule

Other factors may include the costs of long distance parenting time and special needs for the children.

The numbers are then put into the formula to calculate child support based on the information. The calculations will yield a percentage of each party's income to the combined total of both parties' incomes. For example, if Mother's monthly gross income is $3,000 per month, and Father's monthly gross income is $2,000 per month, then Mother's percentage would be 60% of both parties' total incomes. This percentage is used to allocate the tax benefits attributable to the minor child(ren) and also to determine how much each parent must pay for uncovered medical expenses (such as co-pays, deductibles, etc.) for the child(ren)'s medical expenses.

Child Support Disputes

Disputes can arise over what figures to utilize in the formula. For example, determining a parent's gross monthly income is fairly easy if the parent receives W2 wages, but it can become complicated if either parent is self-employed or if one party attempts to hide assets or conceal income. In addition, you need to properly calculate the annual parenting time days, the true cost of insurance that is attributable to the children and verify the true cost of child care.

Our family law attorneys will take the necessary steps to ensure that all pertinent information is discovered and disclosed, and that the child support amount is properly calculated.

We able to assist in child support matters that are included in any divorce or paternity case involving minor children. We can also assist in post-decree matters involving the modification and enforcement of child support, including challenging or establishing the amount of any child support arrearage.

Child Support Conference

Our attorneys will stand by your side to help you navigate the settlement and litigation process. If your case only involves child support, we can assist you at the customary child support conference that is scheduled by the court.

If the conference does not resolve your case, we will assist you in obtaining a resolution from the Court through the traditional litigation process. Our experienced attorneys can assist you with preparing for and conducting Temporary Orders hearings and all types of trials and evidentiary hearings.

Contact us at (602) 264-7101 to schedule a meeting with an experienced child support lawyer.