Child Support Attorney in Scottsdale

The Arizona courts do not assign Scottsdale child support payments at random. Arizona has certain guidelines to determine the amount, duration and parent responsible for paying child support. At Guymon Law, our family law attorneys in Scottsdale can help you navigate these laws. We are passionate about helping each one of our clients achieve their goals during different types of family law cases, including divorce and legal separation. We go above and beyond to make sure that each client has everything they need to get through difficult times.

How Is Child Support Calculated in Scottsdale?

The purpose of child support is to ensure that a child’s lifestyle changes as little as possible after a Scottsdale divorce or legal separation. A child support order requires one spouse to pay a certain amount to the other to maintain the standard of living that the child enjoyed during the marriage. In general, a child support award is granted to the custodial parent, or the parent with primary custody. This is because this parent will have the greater financial childcare burden.

The courts in Arizona use something called the Arizona Child Support Guidelines to calculate an appropriate amount in child support for a divorcing couple. Effective on January 1, 2022, Arizona’s guidelines have been updated. They use the combined adjusted child support incomes of both parents to determine each spouse’s basic child support obligation, or the monthly amount that both would normally spend on the child. This obligation is determined by the state’s current Schedule, which changes based on economic survey data.

If the child is over 12 years old, this amount is increased by 10 percent. The next step is to allocate a percentage of the combined child support obligation to each spouse based on each person’s adjusted child support income. Then, the noncustodial parent’s obligation is adjusted for costs associated with parenting time. The determination of Scottsdale child support is a complicated process that can be made easier with assistance from an attorney.

Child Support FAQs

It is normal to have a lot of questions about child support during the dissolution of your marriage. Some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) that we receive at Guymon Law are:

• Do parents have the ability to create their own child support arrangement?
  Yes. The courts in Arizona always allow parents to create their own divorce settlements before intervening.
• How long does a child support obligation last?
  Until the child turns 18, unless the child is still in high school or has a significant mental or physical disability.
• Do you have to pay child support with 50/50 custody?
  Yes, in most cases, child support must still be paid by one parent to the other, unless both parents earn identical incomes.
• Can you modify your amount of child support?
  Yes, under certain circumstances. You must be able to prove that your situation has drastically changed from the date the order was given, such as the loss of a job or a change in your parenting time.
• What if my spouse refuses to pay child support?
  This is against the law. Keep a record of all missed payments. Then, consult with an attorney for assistance holding your ex-spouse accountable.

If you have further questions, you can receive customized answers and legal advice during a consultation with the Scottsdale child support attorneys at Guymon Law. We have years of experience helping parents and families with the complicated legal matters associated with divorce and legal separation, including child support, child custody and spousal maintenance.

Consult With a Child Support Attorney in Scottsdale Today

For more information about how the Arizona courts determine child support, please contact Guymon Law to request a confidential consultation with one of our attorneys. We are passionate about helping families work through their divorce cases with as little emotional stress as possible. We can help you protect yourself, your child and your future. Contact us today at (480) 553-9782 to learn more.