If you and your ex-spouse are unable to establish how much should be paid in child support, the court will issue an order establishing who should pay a certain amount. This court order is issued after the parties have participated in a formal hearing. This hearing can be relatively short. But it can also be drawn out.
If you or your spouse is disputing the paternity of the child then that is another fact that will need to be established. This will add more time, more cost, and more headache. If you are going through child custody determinations and you are not married, then the paternity of the child will have to be established. If the father does not contest the paternity then he can sign a written admission of paternity. Once paternity is established for non-married fathers then the child is entitled to every privilege as a child born to married parents.
One of the biggest considerations for the court is the financial condition of yourself and your ex-spouse. If you are unhappy with the court order you may seek modification. Depending on the law of the state the support order may be increased or decreased depending on certain factors specific to your state.
Most of the situations that would allow modification relate to your or your ex-spouse’s financial situation. Relevant situations include loss of employment or perhaps a change in the needs of your child.
The Child Support Order is strictly enforced by the Federal government. The Federal government usually incentivizes states to act on its behalf in tracking and enforcing Child Support Orders.
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