Canadian County Child Support Attorney

At Chapman & Stender Law Group, we know that child support is a serious matter that affects the financial stability of both parents as well as the needs of their children. A skilled Canadian County child support lawyer is here to guide you with knowledge and compassion. Contact our law office at (405) 299-3337.

Receiving support may be essential to a parent’s ability to provide all the essentials for their child, like food, housing, and education. At the same time, having to give support can devastate a parent’s personal finances when the calculations aren’t made properly.

Our experienced child support attorney knows how to bring their knowledge of the law and the preferences of our local courts to bear on your situation and help you come up with an equitable support plan that prioritizes your child’s security while preserving everyone’s financial stability.

Child Support and When It Applies

Child support will be determined by the court, and it covers the financial contributions that need to be made from one parent to the other to cover a child’s expenses after the parents have separated. Child support needs to address all the costs of raising a child, and calculations are made through guidelines that look at the income of both parents, the custody time and how that is divided, and any special needs of the child. The courts will also consider the lifestyle the child and family had before the separation.

The law does allow parents to come to a settlement on their own, and it’s always best when the parents can agree well enough to come up with a parenting plan that includes custody, visitation, and child support numbers that work for them. A lawyer can help you to hammer out such a plan and then present it in a way that the courts will accept it. But when a family cannot come to an agreement, then the courts will intervene, and you will need a lawyer to present your side of things to ensure that you are treated fairly and your child is provided for.

Child support issues can also arise when there’s been a serious change to a parent’s financial situation. If a parent has lost a job or become disabled and is otherwise involuntarily unemployed, child support may need to be adjusted. Likewise, if one parent enjoys a big promotion, or if the child develops a condition or disease that requires extra medical intervention, an adjustment may need to be made to provide more support. If a parent is not fulfilling their support obligations, you may have to go to court to find a solution for nonpayment and ask the court to implement enforcement measures.

Common Scenarios Requiring a Child Support Attorney

Divorcing parents often disagree on child support payment amounts, especially if one earns significantly more or if the custody arrangements have resulted in an uneven distribution of expenses. When the calculations get contentious, it can be impossible to reach an agreement that truly suits you without some experienced guidance. The longer the dispute goes on, the harder it is on your budget and your child’s stability. A lawyer can come along and provide a buffer so that talks are more productive.

When couples are unmarried, it may be extra important to have a child support attorney. In these situations, it’s often important to prove paternity. If a father does not prove his own paternity, he may be denied any rights to his child. And if the mother does not prove the father’s paternity, she may not be able to hold him to his financial support responsibilities. A lawyer can help either party bring whatever court orders are needed to formalize rights and obligations.

It’s common to need the help of an attorney when there’s been a big income change, as well. If the paying parent loses their job or gets a raise, it’s appropriate to request an adjustment to the orders, either up or down. If a paying parent claims they can no longer pay, the court will also investigate whether their job loss is voluntary.

If a parent seems to be avoiding work to get out of child support obligations, the court may turn to various means to force compliance. But if a job loss is genuine, or if a parent has suffered an accident or disability that interferes with their ability to hold a job, the courts will strive to find a way to work out the support situation. Whatever the case, it’s important to have a lawyer who can help you compile proof of what’s really happened and argue effectively for the proper calculation of child support moving forward.

You’ll also need the help of a lawyer if a parent refuses to pay their ordered support. Your lawyer can go to court for you and get the court’s help in instituting wage garnishments, tax refund interception, or even suspending the parent’s professional and other licenses until they fulfill their obligations. A lawyer is also very helpful when you need to make a modification because a child’s needs have changed. Your lawyer will know how to compile all the necessary evidence to show the court exactly what the change is costing and how it needs to be addressed.

How We Help

We’ll start by meeting with you in consultation to fully understand your finances and what orders are already in place (if any). We can help you put together a detailed income history and review all documents and then put the evidence together to show what’s fair. We will also explain all the legalities so you can feel confident and understand what’s going on.

In negotiations with the other parent, we can help you come to an agreement without having to go to court in many cases. When your lawyer and the other parent’s lawyer talk together, they can brainstorm useful solutions and compromises without having to deal with the emotions that naturally get in the way when you and a former partner talk directly. But if negotiation is impossible, we’re also fully prepared to take your case to the courtroom and show the judge what the evidence really says and what an equitable arrangement will really be for both you and your child.

If you’re facing an emergency, such as if you’re running short of funds because the other parent refuses to make their payments, or you’ve suddenly lost your job and cannot meet your payments on time, we can act quickly to protect you. We understand the economic pressures that our clients are facing and the importance of preparing diligently and arguing persuasively for their needs.

Why Choose Us

We are a Canadian County law firm that’s committed to family law. We have extensive experience in all aspects of divorce, child custody and support issues and have dealt with all kinds of situations and families in unique circumstances. We have extensive courtroom experience as well as a knowledge of our community and how community values and needs can affect a family.

Our founder, Kyle Chapman, draws on his Army Ranger experience to bring effective leadership to our law firm and the kind of discipline and commitment that families require when they’re dealing with legal issues. Our team is experienced in all aspects of family law and understands not only what Oklahoma law says but also how the courts tend to interpret it. From our office in Norman, Oklahoma, we serve Canadian County and the surrounding regions, including Cleveland, Garvin, McClain, and Grady counties.

Contact a Canadian County Child Support Attorney

We understand how difficult these issues are and are ready to help your family. Contact the Chapman & Stender law firm in Norman, OK today to schedule a consultation on your case.