Family law matters constitute some of the more common reasons why people hire attorneys. For example, a divorced parent with primary custody of the children may want to petition the court for a reduction in support while the other parent wants to block this modification. In contrast, the custodial parent may petition the court for additional support for a specific purpose. Both parents in these situations may want to hire child support attorneys Lakeway, TX has available.
Common Reasons for Hiring Attorneys
Business matters, estate planning, criminal defense and civil matters are other common reasons why people hire lawyers. Child support issues are classified in the category of family law; in this category, divorce is the most frequent motive for hiring an attorney.
Child support often proceeds without any need for a hearing beyond the initial setting of support. This is typically set through an automatic schedule specifying a percentage of the noncustodial parent’s income. Judges, however, have the ability to modify support.
Modifying Support
A petition to modify support is considered during a family court hearing. Both sides benefit from hiring child support attorneys in Lakeway, TX has available for legal representation. Each side effectively argues their reasoning before the judge, who then decides whether or not to grant the petition. The judge also might provide a partial acceptance of the proposal. For instance, a request to decrease support might be granted, but not to the extent that the petitioner hoped for.
When Hiring an Attorney Is Advisable
Lawyers usually are not necessary for enforcing a child support order. That is the function of child support agencies. If problems develop, however, hiring an attorney with an organization such as Margaglione Law PLLC is advisable.
If the noncustodial parent is paying directly and not through wage garnishment, it’s possible that a payment might be missed now and then. The custodial parent may want to be understanding, but if this starts becoming a pattern, the problem should be reported. A judge will likely order wage garnishment at that point. If the noncustodial parent is unemployed, contempt of court proceedings may be filed. This typically motivates the individual to quickly find work because of the risk of a jail sentence.
