Pittsburgh Child Support Attorney

Experienced Child Support Lawyers Serving Allegheny County, PA

Divorces are always a difficult process. When there are children involved, the process can be particularly difficult for both parties. When deciding how to raise a child after a divorce, child support must be decided. Child support is either agreed upon by both parties or ordered by a court.

The Pittsburgh child support attorneys at Notaro Epstein Family Law Group, P.C. are dedicated to excellence in family law. For over 20 years, our Pittsburgh family law firm has helped families through some of the most difficult times they will ever face. Family law is the only area of law we practice, so clients can be sure that they are receiving legal counsel with the experience they need to protect their future and the future of their child.

Contact our Pittsburgh child support attorneys today at (412) 281-1988 to speak with a member of our team and find out how we can help you.

Calculating Child Support in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania requires that the parent who spends less time caring for a child after a divorce pays child support. The parent who spends less time with the child is referred to as the non-custodial parent. Payments are normally required until children reach the age of 18.

Factors that influence the amount paid include:

• The child’s age
• The child’s medical conditions
• The income of the custodial parent
• The assets owned by both parents

When Does Child Support End in Pennsylvania?

In some special circumstances, Pennsylvania courts can extend child support after a child is 18 years of age. Additionally, rare cases allow for child support to end before the child reaches the age of 18. In some cases, a court will modify child support requirements if the circumstances of either spouse change. To assist with this, it is recommended to speak with an experienced Pittsburgh child support lawyer. 

High-Income Child Support in PA

All states calculate child support using guidelines, meaning that the award involves a set mathematical calculation based upon the combined income of both parents. By adhering to strict guidelines rather than evaluating a list of factors, we can ensure that people in similar situations are consistently treated the same. States generally use one of two guideline models. The most common, also used in Pennsylvania, is called the income shares model.

The Income Shares Model of PA Child Support

The income shares model looks at the combined monthly income of the parents, how many children will be under the support order, and what percentage each parent contributes to the total monthly income. Based on the total income of the parents and how many children they have, the guideline provides an amount that constitutes the basic support obligation. Each parent is responsible for contributing the same percent to the basic support obligation as they contribute to the total monthly income. For example, if one parent contributes 75% of the total monthly income, he or she will be responsible for 75% of the amount set forth in the guideline.

Sometimes, however, the parents earn so much money that their income isn't even listed in the guideline. In Pennsylvania, the guideline only reaches $30,000. So, how do courts calculate child support for high-net-worth individuals earning more money than guidelines seem to contemplate? Common sense might say that courts should do an extrapolation of the chart, meaning they should simply do the math and see how much support the guideline would provide for, if it kept going past $30,000. In Pennsylvania, we have a separate support guideline for high-income parents that does just that. However, there are a few problems with strictly adhering to the guideline in these high-net-worth cases.

Calculating Child Support for High-Net-Worth Parents in PA

In fashioning child support for high-net-worth parents, the guideline provides a formula to calculate the basic support obligation. Like cases involving standard income, the law permits courts to deviate from the guideline in certain cases, such as:

• For substantial or shared custody
• Allocation of other expenses
• Other income in the household
• Other support obligations that are already in place
• And more

Even so, the award may still end up being excessive. Parents who have two children and earn a combined total monthly income of $30,000 have a basic support obligation of $3,902. You might already think this is a pretty high number, but imagine if the parents earned a combined income of $120,0000. In this case, if we are strictly adhering to the guideline for high-income cases, the basic support obligation would be over $14,000 per month. Think about it, do you know any kids that spend $14,000 per month? Is that really a reasonable amount to pay in child support?

A recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court case has helped alleviate some of the confusion in this area. In a case brought before the court, the father's annual income had recently increased from about $2 million to approximately $15 million. As such, his child support obligation also increased from almost $8,000 per month to $60,0000 per month (yes-you read that correctly.) As you can imagine, the father wasn't too happy about this and argued that the court's strict adherence to the Pennsylvania guideline did not produce a reasonable result. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed. Now, in addition to considering the guideline in high-income cases, courts should engage in additional scrutiny of the reasonable needs of the particular child(ren).

This additional step of scrutiny could mean several things with regard to child support calculations in high-income cases. On one hand, courts may decide that the child does not reasonably need the amount produced by the guideline, thus deviating downward. On the other hand, it gives courts the discretion to consider the lavish lifestyle that the child is accustomed to, and if the child's reasonable needs therefore preclude a downward deviation from the guideline. If the child is used to expensive vacations, lavish dinners, and the like, is it fair that the child must drastically change the way he or she has grown accustomed to living, simply because the custodial parent can no longer afford it and the wealthier parent doesn't want to foot the bill alone? Either way, one thing is for certain. Unlike in cases of standard income, where adherence to the guideline ensures the like treatment of those similarly situated, additional scrutiny regarding the reasonable needs of children in high-income support cases gives the courts discretion to treat wealthy families differently, despite similar circumstances. It is highly recommended that you speak with an experienced Pittsburgh child support lawyer to ensure the correct procedure is taken when it comes to high net worth child support calculations and payments. 

Modifying Child Support Orders

Life circumstances can change, and sometimes the child support order that was initially established may no longer be suitable. Our experienced child support lawyers at Notaro Epstein Family Law Group, P.C. can help you navigate the process of modifying child support orders in Pennsylvania.

Reasons for modifying child support orders may include:

• Change in income for either parent
• Change in custody arrangements
• Healthcare or educational expenses for the child
• Job loss or significant financial change

If your existing child support order is no longer workable, you must take the proper legal steps to have it modified by the court. Lowering or stopping payments without a valid court order can have serious consequences. Our Pittsburgh child support attorneys have the knowledge and experience to guide you through the legal process of modifying child support orders to ensure that your child's best interests are met, even in the face of significant life changes.

Our Pittsburgh Child Support Attorneys Can Help

If you are going through a divorce, you need the legal representation of an experienced divorce lawyer. Our Pittsburgh child support attorneys utilize their extensive experience to be skilled negotiators. We strategically navigate mediation to benefit clients. If both parties are unable to reach an agreement, we will not hesitate to represent you at a trial. Our family law lawyers know that the future of your child is at stake and will exhaust every effort to protect them.

The experienced child support attorneys at Notaro Epstein Family Law Group, P.C. are proud to serve the families of Allegheny County, PA, and will be happy to fight for you and your child's best interest. 

Contact our Pittsburgh child support attorneys today to learn more about Notaro Epstein Family Law Group, P.C.! Give us a call today!