Covington, KY Child Support Lawyer

Fighting for Fair and Reliable Child Support for Mothers

At WSM, we understand that ensuring financial stability for your child is a top priority. Child support is essential in providing for your child’s needs, including education, healthcare, and everyday expenses. Our dedicated Covington, KY child support lawyers advocate for mothers who need to secure fair child support agreements, enforce existing orders, or modify payments to reflect changing circumstances.

Don’t face these challenges alone; contact us today at 380-212-3731 for a free consultation and let us help you achieve the best possible resolution for your family.

Our Child Support Legal Services

Navigating the legal system can be overwhelming, but WSM Law is here to stand with you every step of the way. We provide comprehensive child support legal services, including:

• Establishing Child Support Orders: If you are in the process of divorce or separation, we ensure that child support is calculated fairly and in line with state guidelines.
• Enforcement of Child Support Orders: If your child’s father is failing to meet his financial obligations, we take legal action to enforce child support payments through wage garnishment, contempt proceedings, and other legal remedies.
• Modifications of Child Support Agreements: If there has been a significant change in financial circumstances—such as job loss, an increase in income, or changes in the child’s needs—we help mothers petition for modifications to ensure payments remain fair.
• Paternity and Child Support: Establishing legal paternity is crucial in securing child support. We assist mothers in proving paternity and obtaining the financial support their child is entitled to.
• Handling Complex Cases: If your child’s father is self-employed, hiding income, or refusing to pay, we utilize legal strategies to uncover assets and secure rightful support for your child.

Understanding Child Support in Kentucky 

Child support is a legal obligation for one parent to provide financial assistance to the other parent for the care and upbringing of their child. It ensures that both parents contribute to their child’s needs, even after a separation or divorce. This support covers essential expenses such as food, clothing, shelter, education, and medical care, aiming to maintain the child’s standard of living as if the parents were still together.

In Kentucky, child support is calculated using the income share model. This approach considers the combined gross incomes of both parents and allocates a portion of their income to child support, based on the number of children involved. The goal is to ensure that children receive a fair share of their parent’s financial resources.

How Is Child Support Calculated

To determine the child support amount, the court evaluates several factors, including parental income, the child’s needs, medical and educational expenses, and the amount of time each parent spends with the child. The calculated amount is intended to provide consistent financial support that prioritizes the child’s best interests.

What Income Sources Are Considered When Calculating Child Support?

When calculating child support in Kentucky, the court looks at different types of income to make sure the support amount is fair and accurate. The goal is to figure out how much each parent can contribute to their child’s needs. Here are some common types of income considered:

1. Wages and Salaries: Regular earnings from employment, including bonuses, commissions, and overtime pay, are included.
2. Self-Employment Income: Income from a business or freelance work is factored in, after accounting for necessary business expenses.
3. Investment Income: Earnings from dividends, interest, and rental properties are considered part of a parent’s income.
4. Social Security Benefits: Certain benefits, such as disability or retirement payments, may be included in the income calculation.
5. Pension and Retirement Income: Payments received from pensions or retirement accounts contribute to the overall income assessment.
6. Unemployment Benefits: If a parent is receiving unemployment benefits, these are also counted as income.
7. Alimony or Spousal Support: Any spousal support received from a previous marriage is considered income for child support purposes.
8. Other Sources: Additional income sources, such as lottery winnings, inheritances, or gifts, may be reviewed by the court.

By looking at these income sources, the court tries to set a fair child support amount that matches each parent’s ability to support their child’s needs. Parents need to give accurate and complete financial details to ensure a fair result in their child support case.

Factors Influencing Child Support Decisions

Several factors influence child support decisions in Kentucky. Understanding these can help you better prepare for your child support case:

1. Parental Income: The income levels of both parents play a crucial role. The court evaluates gross incomes to determine an appropriate support amount. When combined parental income exceeds $30,000 per month, the court has more discretion in setting the support amount.
2. Child’s Needs: The child’s basic needs, including food, shelter, and clothing, are top priorities. The court ensures that these needs are met, regardless of the parents’ circumstances.
3. Medical Needs: Any specific medical requirements of the child are considered. This includes ongoing healthcare expenses or special needs that may require additional financial support.
4. Number of Children: The number of children involved in the support case affects the total financial obligation. More children typically necessitate higher support payments.
5. Educational Expenses: Costs related to the child’s education, such as tuition, books, and extracurricular activities, are factored into the support calculations.
6. Childcare Costs: If childcare is necessary due to the parents’ work schedules, these expenses are included in the support considerations.
7. Parenting Time: The amount of time each parent spends with the child can influence support amounts. More parenting time with one parent may result in adjustments to the support obligations.
8. Extraordinary Needs: Any extraordinary needs of either parent, such as disabilities or other financial obligations, may be considered.
9. Child’s Financial Resources: If the child has independent financial resources, these will be taken into account when determining support.
10. Standard of Living: The court aims to maintain the child’s standard of living as close as possible to what it would have been if the parents were together.

Understanding these factors helps parents anticipate what will happen during child support proceedings, making sure the child’s needs are always prioritized.

Modifying Child Support Arrangements in Kentucky

In Kentucky, life changes can significantly impact child support arrangements, making it essential to understand how to modify them. To qualify for a modification, there must be a substantial and ongoing change affecting the support amount by 15% or more. This change must be presented in court with appropriate documentation, such as W2s and tax returns.

There are several reasons why a modification may be necessary:

1. Change in Income: A significant increase or decrease in either parent’s income can warrant a modification. This includes job loss, a new job, or a substantial salary change.
2. Change in Custody Arrangements: If the custody arrangement changes, resulting in one parent having significantly more parenting time, support obligations may need adjustment.
3. Change in Child’s Needs: If the child’s needs change, such as new medical expenses or educational requirements, a modification may be necessary to cover these costs.
4. Remarriage or New Dependents: If a parent remarries or has additional children, this can affect their financial situation and may justify a support modification.
5. Cost of Living Adjustments: Significant changes in the cost of living can also be grounds for modifying support arrangements.
6. Emancipation of a Child: If a child becomes emancipated or is no longer dependent, this can lead to a modification or termination of support.
7. Relocation: If one parent relocates, affecting the child’s living arrangements or the parent’s ability to meet support obligations, this may require a modification.

Both parents must financially support their children according to Kentucky guidelines, even when changes are needed. The Kentucky Child Support Enforcement agency checks cases to see if modifications are fair and match current situations. Knowing how to handle these changes helps parents ensure their child’s needs are always met.

Enforcement of Child Support in Kentucky

In Kentucky, making sure child support is paid is very important for the courts and the Kentucky Child Support Enforcement agency. If a parent doesn’t pay child support, there are several ways to make sure the child gets the money they need. These methods are meant to encourage parents to pay and to make sure that the child’s needs are always put first.

Enforcement Measures

1. Wage Garnishment: The most common enforcement tool is wage garnishment, where a portion of the non-paying parent’s wages is automatically deducted to cover child support payments.
2. Tax Refund Interception: The state can intercept federal and state tax refunds to cover unpaid child support.
3. License Suspension: Non-payment can lead to the suspension of the delinquent parent’s driver’s license, professional license, and even recreational license.
4. Contempt of Court: Parents who continually fail to meet their child support obligations may be found in contempt of court, which can result in fines or even jail time.
5. Liens on Property: The state can place liens on the property of the non-compliant parent, including real estate and vehicles, to recover owed support.
6. Passport Denial: Failure to pay child support can result in the denial of passport applications or renewals, restricting international travel.

Why Choose WSM Law for Your Child Support Case?

• Experienced Legal Team: Our attorneys bring years of experience handling child support cases in Kentucky, offering knowledgeable and effective representation.
• Aggressive Advocacy, Compassionate Guidance: We provide strong legal representation while offering understanding and support through the emotional challenges of child support cases.
• Customized Legal Solutions: We create tailored strategies that align with your unique needs and goals.

Contact WSM – Advocating for Mothers in Child Support Cases

If you are a mother in Covington, KY, seeking child support assistance, WSM Law is here to help. You should not have to bear the financial burden of raising your child alone. Our Covington, Kentucky family lawyers will fight to ensure that your child receives the financial support they need and deserve.

Don’t wait—contact WSM Law today for a free consultation and take the first step toward securing your child’s future. Reach out to us today at 380-212-3731 to schedule a consultation.