Pennsylvania’s child support guidelines generally determine what each parent’s financial obligations will be in the event of a divorce or separation. However, the skill of an experienced lawyer can make a significant difference in the outcome of child support negotiations.
- For most people, child support is calculated based upon a formula that takes into account:
- Both parents’ incomes.
The number of additional children a parent may be supporting.
The amount of time each parent has with the child (shared custody, partial custody, sole custody).
Any special needs of the child, such as medical needs or educational needs.
In Pennsylvania, the primary focus of the guidelines is the net incomes of both parties. This may sound easy, however, there are many different rules that can apply in order ensure that the calculations are made correctly according to your specific situation. If you do not reach an agreement with the other parent at the initial conference this leads to a hearing before a hearing officer who acts as a judge. This hearing is essentially a trial and involves the cross-examination of the other parent, the presentation of testimony and evidence, as well as legal argument. If you get it wrong at the hearing you don’t get a second chance to come back with an attorney. If you make a mistake you will be stuck with the decision….there are no “do-overs” and you can’t get an attorney to fix your mistakes at the hearing.
Pennsylvania Child support
law can become very complex. There are specific rules that apply to specific situations. It is important for an experienced attorney to oversee the child support determination and to deal with situations involving self-employed individuals, hidden incomes, unemployment and job loss, earning capacity, child care and medical costs and many other scenarios that can affect the final determination.
Unfortunately, I receive telephone calls every day from people who chose to represent themselves at a child support hearing and were very unhappy with the result because the judge would not listen to them or they didn’t know the law. Remember, there are no “do-overs” and I cannot get a new hearing for you because you were unhappy with the first hearing. Make sure that you are treated fairly the first time.
I continue to represent my clients as their families and their needs change and modification of child support agreements and orders becomes necessary because of change in income or other financial circumstances. Have your circumstances changed since the last time you were in court?