Child Support

In Virginia, child support is based upon guidelines. However, it is important to know and consider all of the factors that go into the guidelines. When one household becomes two, finances are often strained, causing conflicts. Having the right family law attorney to help deal with this delicate issue is paramount. The Stafford family law firm of Wesley D Wornom works closely with you to accurately evaluate all financial factors, including:

• Each parent’s income and financial resources
• Potential incomes of parties that are voluntarily underemployed and unemployed
• Arrangements for custody including the cost of visitation travel
• Income tax brackets
• Debts arising from a marriage, if for the benefit of a child
• Direct payments ordered by the court for life insurance, educational expenses or other expenses
• Number of children and amount of time in each party's care
• Child care costs incurred for purposes of employment
• Cost of providing medical care to children
• Any extraordinary expenses related to the care of a child
• Any special needs of a child such as Down’s syndrome, autism, or other disability that will make it impossible for the child to become self supporting

Having accurate information is necessary in order to determine a fair amount that one parent must pay another. It may be necessary to hire a vocational expert if you ask the court to impute income (assume that it is earned), depending upon whether a person quit a job, was laid-off or was fired. We have the experience necessary to gather all the information needed to ensure that you are properly supported after your divorce is final.

If you have a child that suffers from a permanent disability, it is vital to have this determined by a court prior to the time that child support ordinarily expires.

Other child support issues involve reimbursement for out-of-pocket medical and dental expenses, income tax exemptions, and life insurance for the benefit of the child.

If you need help with child support matters, contact Wesley D Wornom today. We represent clients in Stafford, Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, King George, Prince William and Fairfax, Virginia.