Is the amount of child support not enough? Or are you having trouble paying the required amount, due to financial or any other issues?
The struggle is real! In these circumstances, the only person who can come to the rescue is an experienced lawyer who knows all the ins and outs of handling this kind of case.
So, where to find one? Well, don’t worry! Regina Child Support Lawyer has got your back.
From guiding you in the right direction to negotiating and modifying the payments–we will take care of everything. We have been helping people related to child support law for more than 15 years now in Regina.
What is Child Support?
Child support is the financial support and obligations that one parent (non-custodial) ought to pay to another parent (custodial) to support their children in the event of a separation or divorce.
In other words, it is a tax-free monthly payment that is made to eligible families to help them in bearing the expenses of the child till s/he becomes an adult.
Here, the court decides the amount to be paid, taking several factors into consideration (varying from state to state, based on their rulings). Such as their monthly earnings, overall financial condition, etc.
These supports are intended solely for the benefit of the child and paying for the basic necessities, like:
- Food
- House
- Clothes
- Health insurance and medical care
- Institutional expenses
In general, these payments are to be made until the child turns 18. However, if the child didn’t complete their secondary education, or has any disability or fatal illness, the court can increase the duration.
Failure to pay these supports on due time without any valid reasons can land you with several punishments and penalties. After all, it is the legal right of the child, and the court is really sensitive and strict when it comes to children.
How to Find a Skilled Child Support Lawyer?
According to the Canadian law, the child support payment totally depends on the parent’s (non-custodial) income, who is obligated to pay.
However, if the couple has more than one child, the amount might differ compared to the usual amount. The entire process is indeed a complicated one.
No wonder finding out a top-rated child support lawyer is a difficult task. Whether a separation or divorce, it comes with a lot of emotional issues. Due to this very reason, you must be very careful when picking a good child support lawyer. Otherwise, chances are high that instead of reducing your stress, you will end up increasing it.
Here are some of the important criteria that can ideally help you in hiring a skilled child support lawyer for your case:
- Number of experiences working in this field
- Do some online research about the lawyer you want to hire
- Have a talk with any known people who faced similar issues
- Select a child support legal service provider to get potential outcomes after the 1st meeting.
- Take a deeper dive into the lawyer’s personality and lifestyle to understand their service quality as a child support lawyer. Such as whether s/he behaves and listens thoroughly about the client’s side of the story or not, and how they are over the phone and in person.
- Make sure to know about the child support lawyer’s service pricing policy
Regina Divorce Lawyer Child Support Legal Service
We have been providing child support law-related services in Regina for a long time. We have a team of skilled, prowess child support lawyer who knows how to win a case.
From legal paperwork to creating a record-breaking strategy, our experts will do everything to make your case stronger.
Have a look at the below list of the things why you should hire our Regina Child support lawyer:
- Highly qualified and experienced team of child support lawyers
- Client friendly environment
- Reasonable payment policy
- Free initial conuslatation
- Work on a contingency basis – pay only when the case is solved
- 24/7 available both online and offline
How Do We Work on Child Support-related Cases?
We follow our experienced working strategy for handling all the cases. And try to take the pressure from their shoulder.
Below are the steps our lawyers work on child support-related cases:
Step 1: Our first step is to conduct a thorough investigation of the case by meeting with both the parents separately. We will hear each other’s views and opinions.
Step 2: In the next step, we schedule a meeting with our clients for a detailed discussion of the case.
Step 3: After the meeting, our experts create a strategic plan for your case to make it stronger.
Step 4: Here, we began collecting all the necessary and recommended documents for the case.
Step 5: Next, the experts prepare the presentation and the scope of the cases to finally represent it in court.
Step 6: If your case gets rejected, there is no need to feel disheartened. We will reapply for negotiation and then will carry on with the case accordingly.
Our work process is simple, and we plan to keep it like this. As a result, you’ll understand how we work and thus can stay in a relaxed state of mind.
How is Child Support Calculated in Regina?
Generally, child support is calculated based on a very formulaic method. In several states, the entire calculation is commuted considering three main criteria: the parents’ income, the percentage of time each party spent with their child, and the number of children involved.
Let’s see some examples:
In case the parent has joint or parallel custody (50/50), the higher-earning parent will deduct the amount the lower-earning parent is required to pay in child support. And thus pay the difference.
Similarly, if the parent spends less than 40% of their time (146 overnight visits) with their children, they will have to pay the full amount to the custodial parent.
Apart from these, there are tons of other variables that the court takes into account while calculating the child support payment to be paid monthly.
It includes the following:
- Age of the child
- Gender
- Any academic, physical or special care they require
- The allocated time each of the parents spends with the child
- Earning and qualification of each of the parents
- Number of children involved in the custody trial
- Any past history related to the child and parent
- Relationship between the child and parent
N.B: These are just the base number (most common things), and there are no precise rules to calculating child support. It is totally negotiable. And if any parent wants to do more, they are welcome. Such as taking care of the institutional expenses till s/he completes their studies.
What If You Can’t Pay Child Support?
Paying child support on due time is a mandatory job for every parent. And failing to pay without any valid reasons and not informing the court can result in several punishments and penalties.
Merely losing a portion of your income doesn’t mean you can pay less amount or not oblige to pay. However, if you experience a huge financial loss or are on a tight budget, you can definitely inform the court and appeal to modify the payment. It is always best to be totally honest with the court regarding the situation.
Otherwise, be ready to face the below consequences:
- Seize of properties and other belongings
- Suspension of the driver’s licence
- Tax refund seizure
- Cut down on wages
- Imprisonment
Can Child Support Payments be Adjusted?
Of course, you can adjust them, based on the circumstances. This process of making the changes is known as child support modification, where the court might make amendments to the existing child support order.
For example, the court can lower the child support payments, if the situation demands it. Such as:
- Change of residence
- The payer’s parents lost their employment
- Reduction in salary
- Suffering from any serious illness
That is, you cannot change it just because you wish to do so. You will have to appeal for the changes in the court. Depending on your request, the court will analyze those factors, and if they think it should be changed, they will do so.
However, if the changes affect the child’s interest in any way, the court will never allow for any adjustments.
How Long is Child Support Paid in Saskatchewan?
In Canada, a parent must pay child support until the child reaches the age of adulthood, 18 years. Hence, if you are planning to stop it before 18, then the court will not allow it, let alone getting the approval.
If both the parties mutually agree or the child needs the child support even after turning 18, then in that case, the court will grant it. Such as, the child turned 21 but needs help with their educational expenses to complete graduation. Or if the child is a special one, this time frame can get increase.
Besides, as a parent, you are always welcome if you want to pay for your child’s expenses. There is no exact time frame for paying child support, which greatly varies depending on your state and other factors.
Get Help Today!
For any kind of child support issues, make sure to book a consultation with our experts. From guiding you in the right direction to helping you solve the case–they will take care of everything to lessen your stress.
To contact us, you can either reach out to us at (306) 791-2189 or even drop an email at contact@reginadivorcelawyer.ca. We are available 24/7, both online and offline, to help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Child Support Mandatory in Saskatchewan?
Yes, indeed. In fact, child support is mandatory throughout the entire nation. After all, it is the legal obligation of every parent toward their child they require to fulfill.
When Should I Hire a Child Support Lawyer?
It is always recommended to hire a child support lawyer right from the beginning. So, you can always remain on the right track and know what should be your next move. The sooner, the better.
Can You Go to Jail For Not Paying Child Support in Canada?
Absolutely. Paying child support is a legal obligation of every parent toward their child. There is no alternative way you can escape. However, if there is an issue, you must inform the court of the scenario. Otherwise, the court will have all the right to take legal action against them.
Does Remarriage Affect Child Support?
No, they don’t. These are their financial obligations to them which, as a parent, they must fulfill under any circumstances. And these rights are directly bestowed to every child right upon their birth that no separation or divorce cannot change. Any changes in your living conditions (such as remarriage) will not impact child support.
