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Divorce proceedings can be tough, especially when there are properties to contend for or children. In most cases, divorcing partners with kids run at loggerheads over child custody and as such may turn bitter enemies in a bid to secure custody.
Negotiating child support can help in reducing the amount of time spent on the decision, making the process faster and ultimately reducing the cost associated with custody cases.
Below are some of the tips culled from https://www.stanley-wallacelaw.com/service/louisiana-family-law/ on how to negotiate for child support when dealing with divorce.
1. Be upfront about your income and expenses.
When dealing with divorce, one of the biggest problems you can put yourself into is to lie about your finances. When providing verification of your income, this includes the last 6 months of wages and the last 2 years of tax returns, be sure to provide all the needed information of your monthly living expenses in order to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
2. Build in automatic reviews/adjustments of the child support obligation.
In dealing with child support negotiations, be sure to agree to information exchanges such as taxes and wage stubs on a yearly basis. In addition to this, also review whether child support needs to be adjusted. Being upfront and cooperative about this information can help save a lot in legal fees and also help you in deciding on adjustments or possible modifications.
3. Consider other child expenses such as extracurricular activities and education.
When negotiating child support, consider other extra-curricular activities the child may be involved in such as sports. Be sure to also discuss the cost of such activities with your spouse and reach an agreement on who is paying for what.
4. Document expenses for your child with receipts and cancelled checks or bank statements.
When discussing a renegotiation, be sure to have properly documented expense information. In the event you can properly verify the expenses of the child over the past year, then it may be possible to seek a better negotiation.
5. The court is unlikely to deviate from the standard calculation just because you and the other parent agree.
When seeking a new child support payment structure, it is important to note that the court will most likely not deviate from the standard child support calculation. One of the key factors which will be considered by the court however, is whether or not the deviation will detrimentally affect the receiving parent’s household.
6. Don’t talk to your children about the status of child support payments from the other parent.
When seeking renegotiation, avoid involving your child in any of the legal issues. It is important to note that the court frowns sternly upon involvement of children in their child support and legal issues.
7. Remember that child support is meant for the children and not for the other parent.
When seeking renegotiated fees in child support, always remember that the child support payment is made towards the welfare of the child and not the receiving parent. Either as a paying or receiving parent, it is important to note that paying parents are taking the responsibility which will otherwise have been taken in the absence of the divorce while the receiving parent should endeavor to spend the received money judiciously on the child.
When your family is in crisis, whether it is because of a divorce, custody issue or contempt issue, your world is upside down. We understand this and not only have the legal expertise to manage the issue, but will help you get through this tough time.
Aug 20, 2018
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