Child Support Lawyer in Orem, Utah

If you're looking for a trusted child support lawyer in Orem, Utah, Blakelock Law is here to help. Our experienced family law attorneys specialize in child support cases, providing compassionate and knowledgeable legal support to parents throughout Utah County. Whether you need assistance in establishing, modifying, or enforcing child support orders, we are committed to protecting your rights and securing the financial stability your child deserves. At Blakelock Law, we understand the emotional and legal challenges involved in child support matters and work diligently to achieve fair outcomes. Contact our Orem child support lawyers today for consultation and personalized guidance.

Child Support in Utah

Child support in Utah is designed to ensure parents fulfill the legal obligation they have to financially support their children. When parents separate, they no longer complete this task together, which results in the need for a legal agreement. In many instances, one parent has primary custody of the child or children, and the other pays a court-ordered monetary amount for their support.

What Child Support Covers

Child support is a term referring to the payments made by one parent for the financial well-being of one or more children. According to a child support attorney in Utah County, items covered under this umbrella include medical care, education, a place to live, as well as very basic needs such as food and clothing.

Support payments in Utah County may also cover special expenses, such as class trips, musical instruments, sports equipment, or other things a child may need to take part in extracurricular activities or pursue hobbies.

The ultimate goal of the monetary support is to ensure that the child or children can enjoy the same or a similar standard of living that they were accustomed to prior to the divorce. However, the courts also usually try to make such arrangements fair for both parents, so that neither spouse ends up shouldering an excessive financial burden.

How Courts in Orem, Utah Set Child Support Orders 

Many people choose to avail themselves of the services of a child support attorney in Orem, Utah, since such an individual understands the various factors that a judge takes into consideration when deciding whether or not a support order should be granted. These factors can vary significantly from one jurisdiction to the next.

Generally speaking, however, if it’s determined that an order should indeed be made, the amount of the Utah County child support is determined through the use of the state’s “child support calculator.”

Figures Used to Calculate Payment Amounts

The calculator method mentioned above uses data such as gross income, the number of children requiring support, the custody arrangement that was agreed upon at the time of the divorce, and the individual needs of each child. A viable figure for the monthly payment is then determined.

In instances where one parent has been awarded primary physical custody, the noncustodial parent must typically pay a greater amount for the child than if joint or shared custody had been arranged.

Income is also a determining factor, but if the parents’ combined income exceeds $10,000 per month, the judge can then set the payment amount at his or her discretion, rather than solely relying on the state’s calculator formula.

If the parent who is expected to pay for the support of a minor child or children is unemployed, the courts may calculate the payment based on that individual’s earning potential. Not surprisingly, proof of income is required by the courts before the judge decides. A child support lawyer in Orem, Utah can further explain how the process might go if the responsible parent is not employed or if other complicated factors are involved.

Duration of Payments

Once established, the support payments must be made until the minor turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes later. If multiple children were in the household at the time of divorce, the total monthly payment is recalculated based on how many children still remain in the home after each child eventually turns 18 or graduates. Exceptions would include scenarios where a child with special needs requires support payments beyond the age of 18 or past graduation.

Modification of a Child Support Order

Modification of a support order can be pursued by the parent who has been ordered to pay.  A child support lawyer in Orem, Utah can assist with the modification request, but it’s important to understand that this usually requires proof of a significant change in the responsible parent’s financial situation. This could be a reduction in income, an increase in expenses, or an unforeseen circumstance that negatively impacted that individual’s financial well-being.

Additionally, the responsible parent must offer verifiable proof not only of the substantial change in circumstances, but also of the expectation that the change and its impact is to be long-term, which means at least one year in most instances. In other words, a temporary problem such as an expensive car repair or several days of missed work is not usually viewed as grounds for a Utah child-support order modification.

Enforcement of a Utah Support Order

A child support attorney in Orem, Utah can confirm that both parties in any divorce are individually obligated to abide by the decision of the courts: Child support cannot be withheld because of denied visitation, and custodial parents cannot refuse to allow the other parent to see the child if support payments are late or missing.

Rather, the legal remedy for such problems is for the parent to file a motion in court requesting that the support order be enforced, including arrangements for visitation. This may result in the custodial parent being held in contempt of court for denying visitation, or fines, and even jail time, for the parent who is not fulfilling his or her monetary obligation to the child.

In certain instances, additional remedies are available to guarantee that Orem, Utah child support payments are received, such as the withholding of tax refunds, driver’s license suspension, and wage withholding from the offending party’s paycheck. A Motion to Enforce Order can be filed at any time in Orem, Utah.

Rules and regulations involving support orders in Utah are quite different from the laws in many other states. For this reason, it’s always in the best interest of both parties to seek representation by a qualified child support attorney in Orem, Utah.

Call the Child Support Attorneys at Blakelock Law Today!

If you're facing child support challenges in Orem, Utah, don’t navigate the legal system alone—turn to the experienced team at Blakelock Law. Our dedicated child support lawyers understand the complexities of Utah law and are committed to helping you achieve a fair and enforceable support arrangement. Contact Blakelock Law today to schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable child support attorney in Orem and take the first step toward securing your child’s future.