Trusted Child Support Lawyer

Serving Santa Clarita with Skilled Advocacy

Whether child support is a standalone legal issue or a part of your divorce, you can find the dedicated representation you need at the Martinelli Law Group. You will never be treated like just a case file at our firm. Our pledge is to personally handle every single case that comes our way. We are ready to pursue a unique solution to your unique circumstances.

Don't hesitate to request your free case evaluation!

Calculating Child Support Payments

While California has child support guidelines, they are not inflexible. The solution could be in both of your hands, as you and the other parent could agree to your own terms for child support (though you can rarely go below the guideline amount). If you can reach a child support agreement, a judge could approve it and then turn the agreement into a legally binding court order.

Otherwise, if you can't agree with your divorcing spouse or ex, a judge will decide for you. These payments typically last until a child reaches legal adulthood, unless the terms lay out a different end date, such as college graduation.

When determining child support, a court could look at the:

• Financial situation of both parents
• Needs of the child
• A parent's responsibility for any other child
• Living expenses of each household
• Amount of time each parent spends with the child

If you are facing child support payments, then you must be sure that you do not get taken advantage of. We can help protect you from unjust demands.

If you need financial assistance so that you are not left with sole responsibility for your child's expenses, our firm can provide zealous advocacy. You can depend on our Santa Clarita child support lawyer.

Need to Enforce a Child Support Order?

If the other parent refuses to pay, if they fail to pay the full amount, or if they have suddenly stopped paying, you need to assert your child's right to support. It is a crime to violate the court's child support order, so the court has many tools to enforce payment, such as wage garnishment, which allows you to get support directly from the non-custodial parent's paycheck.

Feel free to talk to our Santa Clarita child support attorney to find out how you can secure you and your family's rights.

Modifying a Child Support Order

In some cases, you may both be able to agree to change the terms of child support, but if you fail to gain court approval for the change, this is an insane risk to run. If you are paying less in child support, but don't officially change the terms of your order, the court could come after you for the back pay. Not even bankruptcy could scrub the debt off your record.

If your circumstances have changed significantly, then you need to prove this to the court so that the support order can be formally modified. Such changes could include losing your job or facing a sudden medical condition. Whether you need to fight against or pursue the modification, our child support lawyer has the skillset you need to protect your interests.

Contact our Santa Clarita child support attorney!

Our primary goal is to amicably resolve the differences between separating couples, however, if that is not an option, we can fight vigorously for your rights. And you don't have to take our word for it. Our service comes highly recommended by past clients, and we have a proven history of achieving optimal results.

If you team up with our Santa Clarita child support attorney, you can face your complex legal issues with confidence. Don't hesitate to contact our firm today!