Need help securing child support or paying a fair amount in Chicago, IL? KHK Family Law & Divorce Attorneys can help you fight for what is best for your family. Contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation at 312-702-0068 with a Chicago child support lawyer to discuss your case.
Child support can be a contentious issue in a divorce case. Even though Illinois has standard child support guidelines, they may be adjusted for many reasons. Furthermore, judges may deviate from the guidelines in certain situations.
Our Illinois divorce lawyers have nearly 70 years of combined experience handling custody and support cases. Reach out our Chicago, IL offices today to get started!
How KHK Family Law & Divorce Attorneys Can Help You With Your Child Support Case in Chicago
As a parent, you must ensure your child’s needs are met. When you end your relationship with your child’s other parent, it can be challenging to work out who pays for what your child needs.
Our Chicago divorce & family lawyers with KHK Family Law & Divorce Attorneys can help if you are struggling with child support issues. We assist parents as they navigate the sensitive and often overwhelming issues related to child custody and support.
When you hire our top-rated family and divorce lawyers in Chicago, you can expect us to:
- Explain the child support requirements in Illinois so that you understand your rights and obligations
- Analyze your situation to determine your best legal strategy
- Assist you in gathering the information necessary to determine child support obligations
- Calculate your and your ex’s income correctly to ensure you receive or pay a fair amount for child support
- Negotiate a settlement for child custody and support that is fair
- Protect your parental rights and your child’s best interests through the case
We understand the importance of ensuring your child receives the support they need. Our legal team will aggressively pursue child support arrangements that are in the best interests of your children. We’ll protect your parental rights, too.
Call Kulek, Hakimi, & Katz Attorneys at Law to schedule a case review with one of our experienced child support lawyers in Chicago, IL.
What Is Child Support?
In Illinois, both parents are responsible for their children’s financial needs. When married, the parents share the responsibilities of caring for and providing for their children. Support becomes complicated when the parties separate and/or divorce.
A parent may believe they no longer have to fulfill their legal duty to their kids. However, a parent’s legal obligation to provide for their children does not end when their marriage or relationship with the children’s other parent ends. Family courts order child support to ensure that both parents continue to support their children financially.
Child support refers to the amount that a non-custodial parent pays to the custodial parent for the benefit and support of the parties’ children. Child support matters may arise from divorce cases, separation, domestic violence restraining orders, and paternity actions.
How Is Child Support Calculated in Illinois?
Illinois uses the “income shares” model for calculating child support payments. The guidelines consider the combined income of both parents to determine the amount required to ensure the child maintains a standard of living similar to that of the parents if they were still together.
Factors used to calculate child support in Illinois include:
- Number of Children – The number of children to be supported directly impacts the amount of support to be paid. As the number of children increases, the percentage of income required to support them increases.
- Parental Income – The income for each parent is combined to calculate how much income should be allocated to child support based on the number of children. Income includes all sources of revenue, including wages, overtime, salaries, tips, commissions, self-employed income, bonuses, retirement, and more.
- Parenting Time – The amount of time each parent has with the children can impact the final child support calculations. Generally, more time spent with one parent results in an adjustment to the child support obligations.
- Education and Healthcare Expenses – Costs for insurance, healthcare, and education are essential needs of the child. Therefore, these costs are factored into the child support payments.
- Special Needs – A child might have special needs that may increase the amount required to support the child.
Child support is calculated based on the Income Shares Model. The basic calculation for child support requires you to:
- Determine the net income for each parent
- Add the net incomes together for the combined net income
- Determine the total child support obligation on the income shares chart by using the combined net income and the number of shared children
- Calculate each parent’s percentage of the combined net income
- Multiple the parent’s percentage by the child support obligation
However, this amount is merely the base child support obligation. The factors listed above can change a parent’s child support obligation. A significant factor is the amount of time spent with the children.
The Illinois Department of Health and Family Services (HFS) provides a child support estimator online. We caution against using the estimator because many factors could impact the amount of child support payments in Chicago. If you have questions about calculating child support in Illinois, it is best to speak with one of our Chicago child support lawyers.
Can I Receive Child Support Before My Divorce Is Final in Chicago?
Possibly. Courts can order temporary and permanent child support payments. Generally, temporary child support is granted while a divorce case is pending. The court orders the non-custodial parent to pay support payments based on the temporary custody order.
When the court makes a final ruling on child custody, it will also enter a final order for child support payments. The child support payments often change with the final order because the parents negotiate a parenting plan and time-sharing agreement that may differ from the temporary custody arrangement.
How Do You Request a Modification of Child Support in Illinois?
Child support obligations could continue for over a decade, depending on the age of your children when a child support order is issued. During that time, changes may require child support payments to be modified.
Courts could modify child support if there is a substantial change in circumstances. Examples of a substantial change in circumstances include:
- The birth of another child
- Acquiring a large inheritance
- Obtaining a new job
- Being injured or becoming disabled
- A significant change in income
- The special needs of the child change
You can file a request for modification of child support payments through Child Support Services (CSS). However, you may want to hire a Chicago child support attorney to handle the modification if your case involves matters that complicate child support, such as having multiple child support orders, owing back child support, or changes in living arrangements.
Our Chicago child support lawyers understand how courts view petitions to modify child support. We can help you present a strong case in favor of your desired outcome.
What Are the Penalties for Failing To Pay Child Support in Illinois?
If you fall behind making court-ordered child support payments, your child’s other parent may take you to court to enforce the payments. The courts use a variety of child support enforcement tools, including:
- Intercepting federal and state tax refunds
- Wage garnishments
- Contempt of court charges
- Fines
- Seizing assets
- Community service
- Jail time
- Suspending professional licenses, U.S. passports, and occupational certificates
- Reporting the child support arrearage on your credit report
- Revoking driving privileges
- Probation
You can take your ex to court for child support enforcement if they intentionally refuse to pay support payments without a legal reason. Our Chicago child support lawyers at KHK Family Law & Divorce Attorneys can help you seek enforcement of your child support order. We also represent individuals who are behind with their child support obligations.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Chicago Child Support Lawyers
Child support is an essential element of a custody case. It helps ensure that a child has what they need by requiring the parents to pay their fair share of financial support for the child. However, issues in the case can complicate child support calculations.
At KHK Family Law & Divorce Attorneys, our Chicago child support attorneys have extensive experience handling child support cases. We thoroughly understand Illinois child support lawyers and how they apply to your situation.
Call us today to schedule an initial consultation.
Visit Our Divorce & Family Law Office in Chicago, IL
KHK Family Law & Divorce Attorneys Chicago Office
166 W Washington St Ste 400, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
(312) 702-0068