Child Support Get Help from an Experienced Attorney 

Columbus Child Support Lawyers

Compassionate and Detail-Oriented Counsel for Your Family

The most important issues for the court in any divorce involve child custody and child support. Because children are dependants, the court makes painstaking efforts to ensure they will be cared for after the dissolution of their parents' marriage. little girl looking out of a window

There are many factors to consider, most importantly, which parent will receive primary custody and which will need to pay child support. In many cases, such negotiations and arguments are incredibly contentious and require experienced legal counsel to navigate and secure the most beneficial outcome possible.

Decades of Family Law Experience on Your Side

At Grossman Law Offices, our Columbus child support lawyers have spent decades representing families across Ohio, helping them secure the beneficial outcomes needed to move on to the next phases of their lives. Due to the complex nature of child support cases, it is crucial to retain an experienced lawyer who can place you and your family in the best position possible.

Contact us at (614) 344-4311 to talk to a member of our firm and begin planning your next steps.

FAQs About Child Support

Who is responsible for paying child support?

Under Ohio state law, both parents have an obligation to financially support their child until the age of maturity, and ensure that they have the resources to live a full, happy life. This is true for both the biological mother and the biological father, who have a legally-binding responsibility to care for their child.

However, because Ohio courts tend to award primary physical custody to one parent for consistency, the other parent will need to make up for this financial disparity by making regular child support payments. These amounts are required by the court and can only be modified by another court order. In general, child support payments will continue until the child turns 18 or becomes otherwise emancipated.

You may also be required to pay child support if you are divorced and any of the following categories apply to you:

  • Adoptive parent
  • Parent who acknowledged paternity on a birth certificate
  • Parent who acknowledges paternity in probate court

What happens if I lose my job and cannot pay child support?

Child support is based on each parent’s income, along with other calculations. If you lose your job and the income that comes with it, it may be considered valid grounds to file for a child support modification. However, keep in mind that the court has to decide if your “material circumstances” have significantly changed: Those with other assets outside of their job may be required to continuing paying for support.

My ex-spouse isn’t paying child support. What can I do?

Child support court orders are enforceable in the state of Ohio, which means that you can legally compel your ex-spouse to pay support. If they don’t comply, they will be found in “contempt of court.”

How is child support calculated in Ohio?

Ohio courts follow a standard formula when calculating the amount of child support a parent needs to pay. The formula will combine both parent’s gross incomes and apply them to a chart identifying the amount of support necessary to raise children in that income category.

Example: If one parent makes $20,000 per year and the other makes $40,000 per year, the parent with the higher income will be required to pay 66% of the child support.

There are additional factors the court will consider when calculating child support including:

  • How many children the couple has
  • The needs of the child/children
  • Education and health-related expenses
  • The parent's ability to afford child support payments

The State of Ohio does allow certain deductions to be made to each parent’s income before child support is calculated:

  • Local income tax.
  • Spousal or child support payments for other former spouses or children
  • Value of a federal dependency exemption for the dependents in their household, excluding the children involved in the current child support payment calculations

There are many online tools designed to calculate child support in Ohio, but none of them can compare to the expert advice of an experienced attorney. At Grossman Law Offices, we have two Board Certified Family Relations experts who can look into all the details of your case and determine the best course of action.

Hire A Qualified Lawyer To Handle Your Case

Fighting to secure child support payments can be the most stressful and most important part of your divorce case. Our child support lawyers at Grossman Law Offices have helped thousands of individuals and families secure the beneficial outcomes they need ever since we first opened our doors more than 40 years ago.

Looking to hire a qualified lawyer? Call (614) 344-4311 today to speak with one of our Columbus child support lawyers.

What Makes Us Different

  • Backed by more than 40 years of legal experience
  • Careful consideration of your financial resources
  • Quick and effective responses for all situations
  • Performing well above traditional standards
  • Courteous, professional, and ethical behavior
  • Voted among the “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News

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