The welfare of the children is the utmost concern of the law. This is why child support cases are meticulously discussed. In New Mexico, it is the court that orders which parent will pay for support, how much should be paid, when it must be paid, and who could receive the payments. More often than not, child support is required from the parent who doesn’t have physical custody of the child.
There are support groups in New Mexico that can help parents in collecting and enforcing child support orders. These groups are formed to ensure that children get to live comfortable as they should and not be reliant on public assistance. If you are having issues with child support, you may also consult with a seasoned child support attorney in Albuquerque, NM.
Child support is usually established during a divorce proceeding. But in any case, it may also be applied with the Human Services Department of the state. The court makes decisions based on many factors, which includes the gross income of the parents, who gets custody, and the child’s special needs, if any.
Things to Remember when Requesting Child Support
During a child support hearing, a worksheet containing the amount of money that the parents earn before taxes, the medical and dental insurance premiums paid for the children, any work-related child care costs, the number of children involved, and the amount of time spent with each parent will be studied. These will serve as the basis when computing how much the payments should be. The judge may also request for a list of financial documents from each parent.
Generally, child support should continue until the child reaches 19 years old or after graduating from high school, whichever comes first. However, it may stop if the child decides to get married, join the military, or dies. On the other hand, child support may continue indefinitely if the child doesn’t have any means to support him or herself due to mental or physical disability.
The money that the parent receives is intended for the basic expenses of the child, such as food, clothing, and shelter, as well as medical and dental care. If there’s a need to modify the child support order, the couple has to go back to court to do so. The court will hear the merits of the case and will decide in favor of the child.
While child support cases seem simple, it can get really tough when both parents don’t agree on many terms. Here is where the help of an experienced child support attorney Albuquerque, NM is required. A seasoned family lawyer should be able to give you a good idea as to how much money a parent can possibly receive or pay to support a child.
To understand the child support law of New Mexico better, consult with us today. Advocates New Mexico is a well-admired family law firm in Albuquerque, NM that has many years of experience in the field.