Lombard, IL Child Support Attorneys

Experienced Attorneys Helping Establish Child Support Orders in Lombard, Illinois

The costs involved in raising children can be very high. Parents will need to address a wide variety of financial concerns on a daily basis, including providing children with a place to live, putting food on the table, buying new clothing as they grow, covering the costs of education and childcare, making sure they have health insurance coverage, and more. Single parents should not have to cover all of these costs on their own, so when parents choose to divorce or break up, child support orders will typically be put in place.

At A. Traub & Associates, we know how hard life can be for single and divorced parents. We believe that every child should receive support from both parents, regardless of the relationship between the adults. Whether you are seeking child support to help you raise your child or you are being required to make payments, we are ready to help protect your rights while looking out for your child's needs.

Compassionate Lawyers Helping Parents Address Children's Needs

Illinois law has put guidelines in place to help ensure that both of a child's parents are providing financial support. Ideally, a child should receive support similar to what the family's expenditures would have been if the parents were still together. To come as close to this ideal as possible, the amount that parents will be required to pay will be based on both of their incomes.

The child support guidelines determine a total monthly amount of child support that should be paid based on the net incomes of both parents. Each parent's net income is determined by taking their gross income and subtracting certain expenses, including taxes, required deductions, and support obligations from previous relationships. The net incomes are then added together, and this figure and the number of children the parents share is used to determine a "basic support obligation."

Each parent will be assigned a percentage of the monthly child support obligation, and one parent will usually make ongoing payments to the other. In some cases, additional calculations may need to be made to address situations where children spend a significant amount of time living with both parents.

In addition to these calculations, parents may need to address other expenses that will be required for their children. They will usually be required to share the costs of healthcare coverage, as well as expenses related to childcare, such as daycare while parents are working. Other expenses to address may include educational fees and the costs of various extracurricular activities.

Resolving Child Support Disputes

The guidelines provided in the law are fairly clear, but disputes may arise over particular aspects of a family's situation. These may include:

• How net income has been calculated for both parents
• A parent's income and their ability to earn additional income, including whether they have chosen voluntary unemployment or underemployment as an attempt to avoid paying child support
• Each parent's parental responsibilities and financial contributions toward the child's needs
• Children's educational or medical needs
• Whether children will participate in certain extracurricular activities

We understand that a drawn-out court battle over child support is not ideal, and we can help you work out agreements in which you and the other parent will work together to provide for your child. With our help, you may be able to find a solution that meets the requirements of the court without the messy process of litigation.

Modifications of Child Support Orders

If you are already paying or receiving child support, but the existing order no longer fits your family's situation, it may be time to consider a modification. In some cases, the need for a modification will develop slowly as your child grows and his or her needs change. In others, it may be more sudden, caused by the loss of a job or a serious illness.

Whatever the case may be, the hardworking lawyers at A. Traub & Associates are here to provide you with responsible legal guidance and advice. If you are struggling to pay child support, we can request modifications that will fit your financial situation. If you believe that child support should increase due to changes your children have experienced, we can advocate for fair and appropriate solutions.

Contact Our Lombard, IL Child Support Attorneys

When you have questions about child support under Illinois law, contact A. Traub & Associates. We have the skill and experience to assist you no matter what challenges you are facing. Call 630-426-0196 today to schedule a confidential consultation. From offices in Lombard and Arlington Heights, we are proud to serve clients in and around DuPage, Kane, Will, and Cook Counties.