Child Support Lawyer Orange County

Child Support for Children with Special Needs

For parents navigating child support in California, understanding the laws and procedures is important, especially if they have children with special needs. A special needs child refers to children who need extra care due to physical, emotional, developmental, or educational needs that go beyond the ordinary. Conditions like autism, down syndrome, or learning disorders require special attention and care. The court considers children suffering from special conditions as having special needs, protecting their well-being and growth so they lead productive lives.

The best interests of the child are paramount in every child support case. Section 3900 of the California Family Law Code states that both parents have an equal responsibility to support their minor children ‘in a manner suitable to the child’s circumstances’. This not only includes the child’s basic needs like food & clothing but also their medical needs. The child support order will include all healthcare expenses, including therapies and medical equipment, for special needs children.

Key considerations include:

• Greater Financial Needs: Special needs children often require therapies, medication, and other healthcare assistance, which can be costly. They may also require specialized care, resulting in higher childcare costs. Both these expenses are factored into the child support calculations, resulting in a higher than average support for special needs children.
• Longer Support Duration: Child support for special needs children may last longer than the standard age of 18 years. If a child is incapable of earning without sufficient means, the parents have the obligation to pay ongoing support without an end date.
• Government Benefits: Special needs children are eligible to receive government assistance through various programs. The court will consider such government benefits when calculating child support.

As the parent of a child with special needs, you’d want your kid to have the best possible resources to succeed in life. Seek the professional guidance of an experienced child support attorney in Orange County to ensure the proper care and well-being of your children.

If you want to know how much support you may be eligible to receive or pay, you can use the calculator here.

Child Support & Custody Arrangements

Child custody & support are different matters. Child custody ensures the child is in a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment, whereas child support ensures the kid is financially protected. Remember that even if the court does not award custody to a parent, it may still ask that parent to pay support.

Usually, the non-custodial parent pays support to the custodial parent. In the case of joint custody, the higher-income parent has the duty to pay child support. This is because the court assumes that when one parent has custody, they are financially supporting their kids.

However, the non-payment of child support can alter the custody arrangement. The parent paying support may lose custody or visitation rights for missing child support dues. If you have trouble finding work or if there’s a material change in your financial circumstances, you must request a modification from the court rather than violating the child support order.

At Jos Family Law, our attorneys are dedicated to helping parents navigate the complexities of child custody & child support laws. We will work diligently to protect your parental rights, secure the best possible outcome for your children, and advocate for your family’s future at every step of the way.

The Importance of Legal Representation in Child Support Cases

Child support laws are complex, and emotions and conflict may persist between the parents. Having a child support attorney can simplify the process for you.

At Jos Family Law, our experienced Orange County child support attorneys will ensure the following:

1. Your child gets the support they need to succeed in life
2. Your financial situation is accurately presented to the court
3. Any change in circumstances is duly notified to the court to obtain a modification
4. All unpaid dues are collected by enforcing a child support order

Child support lawyers are experienced in family law and know how to navigate the legal process that surrounds these sensitive matters. They know what information must be provided when paperwork is required, & they understand the nuances of court proceedings.

They can also help you explore options like negotiating settlements or alternative dispute resolution outside of court if feasible to your situation. In other words, a child support lawyer will save you time & money as well as boost your chances of getting a fair settlement from the courts. Contact our team today for more information on how we can best serve you.

Ensure Your Child Gets The Support They Deserve

Among the most vital things a parent can do is provide financial and emotional stability to their children. Many families think they can take care of themselves, but often, they don't have a realistic idea of how hard it is to be solely responsible for another human being on top of work, sleep, family time, and everything else that goes into living.

Child support laws are created to help level the playing field so parents have more resources available to meet the needs of their children. In order to obtain fair custody arrangements, a family law attorney will generally recommend that one or both parents seek appropriate child support from the other party. Families will face tough decisions when deciding what's best for them as well as their children. With expert help & guidance from a top child support lawyer, you can make informed decisions for your child’s bright future.

Cities We Serve

Our child support attorneys serve clients throughout Orange County, including:

• Santa Ana
• Irvine
• Cypress
• Costa Mesa
• Anaheim
• Alisa Viejo
• Brea
• Westminster
• Tustin
• Santa Margarita
• Fountain Valley
• Coto de Caza
• Laguna Beach

Jos Family Law - Your Trusted Partners to Navigate Child Support

With over 55 years of combined experience and a commitment to providing top-quality service, Jos Family Law is here to help you through what may be the most difficult time in your life. Our team always puts the client first and does all we can to make sure that you have everything you need, as well as effective representation at every stage. Call us today at (714) 733-7066 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation. Alternatively, you can also reach us by emailing at jos@josfamilylaw.com.