Portland Child Support
Attorneys Dedicated to Handling Child Support Cases in Oregon
Child Support Overview
Child support is legally defined as payments a non-custodial parent makes to a custodial parent. The payments are used to provide for their common children’s day-to-day needs. Needs include but are not limited to: food, housing, clothing, educational materials, medical expenses, and insurance benefits. In the state of Oregon, a parent who is ordered to pay child support will have to make monthly payments until his or her child turns the legal adult age of 18. In special cases, payments may have to be made until the child is 21, but these cases are rare.
In order for a parent to receive child support payments, he or she will have to file appropriate paperwork and go through the family law process. During the process, if parents are not able to reach a mutual agreement regarding the payment of child support, the case will have to go to trial where a judge will decide 1) if child support is to be awarded, 2) which parent will get child support and, 3) how much the child support payments will be. Before a judge will make these important decisions, he or she will consider relevant factors like:
- how many common children the parents have
- how many common children are eligible for child support
- the income of both parents
- the expenses related to the care of the common children
- the medical and insurances costs for each child
- the ability of each parent to pay support
- the ability of each parent to work
Portland, Oregon Child Support Attorneys
Parents who need help with child support matters are always encouraged to work with an experienced Portland family law attorney. A child support lawyer can help parents in numerous ways. First, an attorney can inform parents of Oregon’s child support guidelines. Second, a child support lawyer can tell parents about the factors a judge will consider before awarding child support payments. Last, a family lawyer can address questions related to the enforcement and payment of child support and can also tell parents how they can file to receive child support payments.
If you need assistance with a child support matter in Portland, contact one of our committed Oregon child support lawyers!