Birmingham Child Support Attorney
Critical Legal Support For Your Family
Family courts in Alabama operate under the belief that both parents have a legal responsibility to take care of their children. In practice, this means that the parent who does not live with their children, the non-custodial parent, is required to pay child support to the custodial parent. It is the expectation of the court that children should be afforded the same standard of living that they enjoyed prior to their parents' divorce.
How is Child Support Determined?
Child support arrangements are not made until child custody has first been established. Once primary custody has been granted, it becomes the responsibility of the other parent to make monthly child support payments.
The amount of child support owed is determined by:
- The number of children the couple has together
- The monthly income of the non-custodial parent
- The monthly income of the custodial parent
- The amount of child support already being paid
- The cost of day care and health insurance
The dispensation of child support can either be made directly from parent to parent or it can be withheld from the paycheck of the non-custodial parent and distributed through the Alabama Child Support Payment Center. These same-day payments can be made via check, direct deposit, or credited to a debit card.
Over Three Decades of Family Law Experience
If you are going through a divorce, or have already gone through a divorce, and have questions about child support obligations in Alabama, talk to a Birmingham divorce attorney at Shaw Family Lawyers. We want to help you lay the framework for a healthy future, one that provides financial and emotional stability for your children, maintains their quality of life, and allows you to co-parent them in the best possible situation. We work closely with our clients from start to finish, to get things done right the first time.
Contact us at (205) 259-7650 to schedule an appointment.