The family court system handles various legal matters that apply to members of a family or household. One of the most contentious issues that must be decided in the Irvine family court system is child support or the financial support of children of divorced or unmarried and separated parents. If you have recently divorced or are not married to your co-parent and are not planning on raising your children together, you will need to determine child custody and each of your financial obligations to your child.
Irvine Practice Areas
Legal Representation for Irvine Child Support Cases
The Dorie A. Rogers can provide the legal counsel you need to navigate a child support case in Irvine, CA. Our firm has years of experience guiding clients through all types of family law cases, including child support determinations. We understand the emotional stress these cases often cause and that many people entering these disputes have misconceptions about how child support works. Therefore, when you choose us as your Irvine child support lawyers, we will carefully review the details of your situation and help you approach your case with confidence.
Is It Better to Get a Lawyer for Child Support?
Navigating any family law case is much easier when you have legal representation you can trust. While you might assume that you can handle your legal proceedings on your own, this is very risky as any errors, even small ones, can lead to significant issues in the court’s handling of your claim. You could end up with a child support order that isn’t manageable or doesn’t account for all relevant financial information, prolonging the time you must spend entangled with the family court system and increasing the likelihood that you will need to return to court in the future to resolve issues with your support order.
The Dorie A. Rogers understands the stress and uncertainty that typically accompany any family court case, especially one with the potential of impacting your life and the lives of your children for the foreseeable future. Therefore, our team will carefully review the details of your situation, help you gather the records and documentation you will need to establish your financial status before the court, and ultimately guide you to securing a fair and reasonable support determination that provides for your children’s needs.
How Much Do Lawyers Charge for Child Support Cases?
It’s natural to have concerns about the cost of legal representation when you need an Irvine child support lawyer. Most attorneys will charge their services by the hour, meaning the more time they must spend working on a client’s case, the more expensive their services will be for the client. The Dorie A. Rogers believes in making legal counsel accessible to those who need it most. We provide every client with complete and transparent billing policy information so they can make fully informed decisions about their legal counsel.
What Does the Court Consider in a Child Support Case?
California state law upholds that a child is entitled to financial support from both of their parents in equal measure. As a result, child custody rights generally have a strong influence on child support determinations. Both of a child’s parents are expected to financially support the child but may do so in different ways. It’s very rare for a child custody agreement to grant completely equal custody rights to both of a child’s parents, and even rarer for both of those parents to earn the same amount of income. Therefore, the court must evaluate several criteria to determine the appropriate child support arrangement in any given support case. Some of these criteria include:
- The custody rights granted to each parent. When one parent has custody but the other does not, the parent with custody becomes the custodial parent while the other parent becomes the noncustodial parent, and the noncustodial parent will need to pay child support to the custodial parent.
- The respective incomes of each parent. Typically, the higher-earning parent will need to pay child support to the lower-earning parent, even if the higher-earning parent has greater custody rights. This is because both parents are expected to pay for their children’s living expenses equally.
- The needs of the child. The court must consider the parents’ custody rights, financial situations, and the unique needs of their children. For example, if a child has a disability or medical condition that requires ongoing treatment or therapy, they must account for this in the child support determination.
This is not an exhaustive list of all the factors that come into play when an Irvine, CA, family court judge must determine child support, and every support case is unique. If you are unsure how to approach your child support determination, guidance from an experienced Irvine family law attorney is invaluable.
What to Expect From Your Irvine Child Support Lawyer
Hiring legal counsel you can trust is the best way to approach any family law matter. Whether your child support determination is part of a larger divorce or child custody case or you are revisiting a previously established child support order, the right attorney will make a tremendous difference in the quality of your experience with the Irvine, CA, family court system.
The Dorie A. Rogers will carefully review all your records and documentation that are likely to come into play in your case. For example, suppose you are bracing for a larger divorce or custody case. In that case, we can provide the ongoing legal counsel you will need to approach the situation with confidence and make informed choices about the direction of your case. In addition, we’ll ensure your financial disclosure to the court is complete and accurate and that your child support order appropriately reflects the custody rights granted to you by the court.
Our team can also provide legal counsel when you need to modify an existing child support order. For example, you may need to petition for a reduced child support obligation if you recently lost your job or developed a disability, or you may need to petition to receive greater support if your financial situation or your children’s needs have changed. Whatever your unique situation entails, you can rely on the Dorie A. Rogers to provide individualized legal counsel for your child support determination. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out more about assisting with your child support case in Irvine, CA.
At The Dorie A. Rogers
APC, we represent clients both initiating and defending against child support actions. Our Irvine child support attorneys counsel and advocate for clients in issues related to initial calculation, failure to pay, modifications and enforcement of existing child support orders.
Backed by more than 30 years of experience and extensive qualifications, we are committed to protecting the rights and interests of clients dealing with even the most complex child support matters, including cases involving parties with considerable wealth.
Contact us to schedule a consultation. We serve clients throughout Orange County and Riverside County, California.
“Dorie is a very powerful attorney and a great asset to have on your side in any family legal matter. She is extremely bright and insightful, and I got everything I asked for in my lawsuit.”
“I would strongly recommend Ms. Dorie Rogers for any legal needs. During my Divorce proceedings, Dorie’s professionalism, expertise in Divorce Law and legal skill helped bring my case to a close in both a timely and mutually agreeable manner.Additionally, Dorie took the time to understand me and my background to better represent me in my case. She showed a level of caring and concern that helped me through a very difficult time. She is an outstanding lawyer and wonderful person.”
“Second to none – I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Dorie to anyone. She was my attorney for my divorce and custody case. She will do everything it takes to get the job done and all with a smile on her face. Her knowledge and expertise will assist anyone in a family law situation get the results they want.”
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