Belleville Child Support Attorney

When parents separate, one of their most important concerns and responsibilities is to make financial provisions for their children. Child support keeps up your child’s standard of living and makes sure that both parents contribute to their upbringing. At Buchmiller Family Law, LLC, our lawyers are here to walk you through how child support works in Illinois while working towards making sure the arrangement you enter into is fair and representative of your child’s needs. Whether you seek child support or need to have an existing order modified, we will be by your side and work to achieve an outcome that is best for your family.

Our firm serves clients in Belleville, as well as St. Clair, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, Washington, and Clinton counties. We are here for you when you are ready to take the next step.

How Child Support Works In Illinois

Illinois courts use an “income-shares” model to calculate child support. Under this model, the calculation is first made considering the combined income of both parents and the amount of time each parent spends with the child. These two factors combined essentially allow the court to arrive at an appropriate level of child support that represents the standard of living the child would have enjoyed had the parents stayed in the same household.

Basic Child Support Obligation

Under Illinois law, both parents are required to support the child financially. The income-shares model calculates the total amount of support both parents have to pay by using the combined income of both parents. Once the total is derived, each parent’s share in that total will be determined by their share of the combined income. As such, we would work with the parties through this process so that your income and financial position are accurately applied in the calculation of child support.

Health Insurance And Medical Expenses

In addition to the basic child support requirement, Illinois law also requires both parents to be responsible for providing health insurance for and/or paying reasonable medical expenses for the child. Whether you provide coverage or are contributing toward costs, we will assist you in having these properly divided between you and your ex-partner and included in your agreement for child support.

Education And Extracurricular Expenses

Child support may also involve other costs, such as school fees, extracurricular activities, and daycare. Our firm will assist you in attempting to include these costs in the support agreement so that your child remains provided for in their educational and developmental needs.

An Important Issues In Illinois Child Support

Determining Income

Of all of the variables employed in a child support calculation, ascertaining the incomes of the parents with accuracy plays the most central role. In addition to regular wages, income from self-employment, bonuses, and rental properties could be used. We will help you make sure the court has a clear and accurate picture of both parent’s finances so the child support calculation is fair.

Imputed Income

If a parent is unemployed or underemployed, Illinois courts may impute income onto that parent as based on his or her potential for earning. Our attorneys can help you present the proper documentation to make sure the court’s decision regarding imputed income is fair and reasonable in consideration of your situation.

Parenting Time Impact

Parenting time is the amount of time each parent is awarded to spend with the child, and directly influences child support in Illinois. Quite obviously, a parent who is spending more time with their child may be ordered to pay less child support than a parent who rarely spends any time with the child. We will make sure your parenting time is factored in with the child support agreement and is fair to you and your child.

Modification of Child Support

If your circumstances have significantly changed, such as the loss or gain of employment, increased income, or change of parenting time, you might be entitled to modify your existing child support order. We will assist you in requesting modification and ensure your child support agreement accurately reflects your circumstances.

Enforcement of Child Support Orders

If the other parent is not paying, Illinois has available enforcement remedies such as wage garnishment, tax refund intercepts, and other penalties. We can help you seek enforcement so your child receives the financial support to which they are entitled.

Termination of Child Support

Generally, child support ends when the child turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever is later. However, if a child has a disability or is in college, then child support can considerably extend beyond that. We can help you understand how child support will terminate in your particular case and whether any extension applies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Child Support

How Does Illinois Calculate Child Support?

For many years, calculating child support in Illinois has involved the income-shares model. The income-shares model considers the incomes of both parents and how much time each parent spends with the children. It is designed to provide your child with the same standard of living they would enjoy if the family was still together.

Can Child Support Be Modified?

Yes, child support can be modified if the circumstances have changed substantially. This would involve changes in income, parenting time, or financial needs of the child. Our legal team will be able to help you determine if you qualify for modification and guide you through the process so the new circumstances are reflected in the order.

What If The Other Parent Isn’t Paying Child Support?

For example, some of the enforcement measures available for unpaid child support in Illinois include wage garnishment and intercepting tax refunds. If the other parent isn’t paying child support, we will help you enforce the order and make sure your child receives financial support to which they are entitled.

Does Child Support Cover Medical And Educational Expenses?

Child support typically encompasses the basic needs of the child, but sometimes medical expenses, health insurance, and educational expenses may also become part of the support order. We will help make sure that all the necessary expenses are accounted for when it comes to your child support agreement.

Where And When Does Child Support Terminate In The State Of Illinois?

Child support typically ends when your child reaches the age of 18 or upon completion of high school, whichever happens later. Considering that either of your children has disabilities or is furthering their education, their support may continue past this age. We will be working with you to explain the time frame of your child support obligation.

Call Our Belleville Child Support Attorney For Help With Your Child Support Case

Whether it is the establishment of child support for the first time, the modification of a child support order, or the enforcement of an existing order, we are here to help. At Buchmiller Family Law, LLC, our attorneys will work with you so that your child receives the financial support they are entitled to.

We offer a no-cost, no-obligation 15-minute phone consultation where you can explain what is happening, and we can talk about how we may be able to assist you. To schedule an appointment for your Free Consultation, please call our Belleville child support attorneys at Buchmiller Family Law, LLC by calling 618-432-1866 for your free 15-minute phone consultation.