Sumter Child Support Lawyer

Sumter Child Support Attorney

Child support cases are some of the most contentious disputes to unfold in the Sumter family court system. Whether you are required to pay child support or expect to receive it from your co-parent, it is natural to want your agreement to be fair and aimed at protecting your child’s interests. An experienced Sumter child support lawyer can help you navigate an initial support determination or modify an existing support agreement.

Legal Counsel for Child Support Cases in Sumter, SC

The Law Office of Charles T. Brooks III has successfully represented many clients in difficult family court cases, including those involving child support determinations. Whether you are preparing for a complex divorce or you face a standalone dispute regarding an existing child support agreement, we can help you navigate these difficult proceedings fluently and ensure a fair result.

If you expect to receive child support from your co-parent as a custodial parent in Sumter, it is natural to want to maximize these payments to ensure your child’s needs are fully met. If you are required to pay child support, you may have reasonable concerns about the financial impact of your payments on your life, and the purpose of a child support determination is to reach a fair and balanced result that satisfies the child’s financial needs.

Our family law team will assist you in covering all of the financial issues that must be addressed in a child support case. Whether you are resolving this issue as part of a divorce or custody case or you simply need assistance securing reasonable changes to a standing support order, we can help.

Understanding Child Support

In South Carolina, the family court has a duty to protect the best interests of all children the court’s orders will affect. The purpose of child support is to ensure that both of a child’s parents contribute equally to the financial burden of raising their child. When one parent has custody, and the other does not, or the other parent has much less custody than the other, the noncustodial parent is typically required to pay child support to the custodial parent.

The amount that must be paid will depend on the total cost of the child’s living expenses, medical needs, and other financial considerations. The court will look at the cost of living in the area, the incomes of both parents, the child’s living arrangements, and other factors in order to decide on a child support case. Once a support order is approved, it is imperative for all parties involved to comply with the terms of the order in good faith.

The Law Office of Charles T. Brooks III can work with you to help you navigate this case successfully, whether you expect to pay or receive child support. Our team will help you gather all of the financial documentation you must produce for the court and prepare you for each courtroom appearance. We can also help you if you need to petition the court to change the existing terms of your current support order.

FAQs About Sumter, SC Child Support Laws

Can I Get Out of Paying Child Support?

It is very difficult to get out of paying child support in the United States. The family court systems have a legal duty to ensure that any ruling they deliver will suit the best interests of the child the order will affect, and the court expects both of a child’s parents to equally contribute to the financial costs of raising the child. Adoption, the child’s emancipation, or the child reaching the age of 18 are the only ways for child support to end.

Can I Ask for More Child Support in Sumter?

It is possible to ask for more child support in Sumter, but you must be prepared to provide a reason for this request. If your child’s needs have changed, or if the paying parent has recently had an increase in their income, these may form grounds to justify a request for increased child support. Your Sumter child support lawyer can help you file a petition for modification if you believe you have reasonable grounds to request an increase in child support payments.

What Are the Penalties for Nonpayment of Child Support?

In South Carolina, there are severe penalties for nonpayment of child support. If a parent fails or refuses to pay child support as directed by the court, they can face fines, wage garnishment, asset seizure, and even imprisonment. They will be required to pay all of their past payments in arrears and may be required to forfeit welfare and unemployment benefits, tax refunds, and face liens on their property.

Do You Have to Pay Child Support After Termination of Parental Rights?

A parent may still be required to pay child support after the termination of their parental rights. If they give up their parental rights voluntarily, it will not release them from their child support obligation, nor will they be released if they have their parental rights involuntarily terminated. The only way for termination of parental rights to nullify a child support obligation would be if there is a stepparent willing to adopt the child and assume financial responsibility for them.

Why Should I Hire a Sumter Child Support Lawyer?

You should hire a Sumter child support lawyer because these cases are inherently contentious, and it is important to have legal counsel on your side if you want to ensure the fairest possible outcome that will suit your child’s needs and interests. Your attorney can help you prepare for a child support determination, and if you later need to modify the agreement, their assistance will be invaluable for making these adjustments.

The Law Office of Charles T. Brooks III has the skills and experience necessary to resolve the most challenging child support cases in the state. Our firm has successfully helped many past clients with their child support cases, and we are ready to put this experience to work in your case. Contact our team today and schedule a consultation with an experienced Sumter child support lawyer you trust to guide you through your case.