Child Support Lawyers • Madsen Law Offices • Easton • (484)548-0529

Child & Spousal Support in Northampton County

Lehigh Valley Child Support Lawyers

Family Law Office Located in Easton, Pennsylvania and serving Lehigh & Northampton County

Choosing the Right Child Support Lawyers in Easton, Pennsylvania doesn’t have to be hard.

At our law office in Easton, Pennsylvania, nestled in the heart of the Lehigh Valley in Northampton County, our dedicated Child Custody Attorneys and Child Support Lawyers are committed to providing comprehensive support for all Pennsylvania child support cases. We handle everything from initial filings to appeals in both Lehigh County Domestic Relations and Northampton County Domestic Relations.

We pride ourselves on our close collaboration with clients, meticulously reviewing income details to secure the most favorable outcome in child support cases across Easton, Allentown, and Bethlehem.

In Pennsylvania, a custodial parent is entitled to child support until the child graduates from school or reaches the age of 18, whichever is later. In cases where the child has a serious mental or physical condition, the non-custodial parent may be required to provide support for an extended period. The support amount in a Pennsylvania child support case is determined based on the monthly earning capacity or net income (after taxes) of both parents.

Child Support is typically awarded by the court to the custodial parent, regardless of whether they are the biological parent of the child. While typically only biological parents are liable for Child Support, in certain rare circumstances, individuals who have previously acted or attempted to act in a parental role may also be held responsible for Child Support.

Reach out to our Child Support Lawyers in Easton, Pennsylvania today for a comprehensive review of your Pennsylvania child support case. We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of child support law.

How is Income Determined for Purposes of Child Support?

Pennsylvania includes all of the following as income:

• Wages

• Salaries

• Overtime pay

• Commissions

• Bonuses

• Interest

• Rental income

• Retirement income

• Social Security retirement or disability payments

• Workers’ compensation

• Unemployment compensation

• Income from an interest in a business

• Entitlements to lump sum awards such as lottery winnings

Stages in a Child Support Case

1. Initial Filing

To initiate or modify a child support order in Pennsylvania, you’ll need to visit your local Domestic Relations Office. Here, you’ll be required to fill out and submit the appropriate forms.

Before you go, it’s advisable to call ahead. This is because some counties may charge a fee for filing an initial Complaint or a Petition for Modification. Being prepared can help streamline the process and ensure you have all the necessary information and resources at hand.

2. Support Conference

A support conference is a crucial part of the child support process in Pennsylvania. This meeting involves a neutral county employee, whose role is to facilitate an agreement or produce a recommendation for the court.

If the involved parties are unable to agree on a support amount during the conference, the officer may provide a recommended amount before the conclusion of the meeting. Alternatively, the officer may take the matter under advisement and mail the recommended order to the parties within a few days.

This process underscores the importance of having experienced legal representation. Our Child Support Lawyers in Easton, Pennsylvania are ready to guide you through this process, ensuring your interests are well-represented. Contact us today for more information.

3. De Novo Hearing

In situations where parties cannot agree on a support amount during the conference, or if either party disagrees with the conference officer’s recommended amount, the case may proceed to a de novo hearing. The nature of this hearing can vary depending on the county.

The hearing may be conducted by a Judge or an appointee of the Judge, often referred to as a master or hearing officer.

If the hearing is presided over by a Judge, a final order is typically issued within a few days. However, if the hearing is conducted by a master or hearing officer, a recommended order will be issued in a similar timeframe.

Navigating these proceedings can be complex. Our Child Support Lawyers in Easton, Pennsylvania are here to provide expert guidance and support. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in your child support case.

4. Exceptions

In Pennsylvania, if a de novo hearing is presided over by a master or hearing officer and you believe a legal error was made in the calculation of child support, you have the right to challenge this. You or your attorney can take exceptions to the recommendation and request a Judge to review the decision made by the master or hearing officer.

5. Appeal

In Pennsylvania, following the final decision in your child support case, you have a 30-day window to appeal the decision to a higher court. It’s important to note that the higher court will not reevaluate the facts of your case. Instead, it will solely review the judge’s decision to ascertain if any legal errors were made.

Top Ten (10) Things to Know About Child Support In Pennsylvania

Child Support Responsibility: In Pennsylvania, parents are legally responsible for the financial support of their children.
Types of Support: Child support in Pennsylvania covers not just basic needs, but also the mental, emotional, and physical welfare of the children.
Support Duration: Child support is typically paid until the child’s 18th birthday. However, if the child has a disability, the court may order the payments to continue.
Income Definition: Income for child support purposes can include wages, in-kind payments, royalties, dividends, annuities, retirement incomes, disability and workers’ compensation benefits, and court or insurance settlements.
Support Calculation: The amount of child support is based on both parents’ respective net incomes and the number of children they have.
Custody and Support: Who receives support and who pays support is determined by their child custody arrangement.
Support Modification: Child support can be modified over time. Changes in a parent’s ability to pay or a child’s needs can warrant modifications.
Enforcement Measures: Unpaid child support may be subject to enforcement measures. Delinquent payments can be intercepted from the state’s income tax or lottery winnings.
Appealing Decisions: After a judge makes a final decision, you have 30 days to appeal the decision to a higher court.
Legal Assistance: Navigating child support laws can be complex. Legal professionals can provide guidance and ensure computations are done right.

What Should I Bring to a Child Support Conference?

Bring the following items to your support conference:

Paystubs (six months if possible)
Most Recent Tax Return (plus all schedules)
Proof of Childcare Expenses (if applicable)
Proof of Student Loan Expenses
Proof of Extraordinary Medical Expenses
Medical Form (if applicable)
Unemployment Documentation (if applicable)
Driver’s License
Child’s Health Insurance Card (if applicable)

Child Support FAQs

Common questions regarding child support in Northampton & Lehigh County:

How does 50/50 Custody Affect Support?

Equal shared physical custody does not mean that there will be no support obligation. Even if custody of the children is shared equally, the parent that earns more may have some support obligation to the other parent.

I have my child almost as much as the the other parent, how will that affect support?

The paying party having more than 40% of overnight custody with the child is a basis for lowering the support obligation. The paying party having less than 30% of overnight custody of the child may be a basis for an increase of the support obligation.

The other parent never sees the child, can I ask for more support?

If I have a Child Support Contempt Hearing What Should I Do?

If you do not pay as required, you can go to jail. If you are summoned to court for failing to pay, the following can help reduce your chance of going to jail:

1. Bring as much money as possible to court.
2. Gather proof of all of your attempts to find work. (copies of job applications etc.).
3. Obtain medical evidence of any disability that prevents you from working.
4. File a modification (if warranted by a change in circumstances).
5. Obtain employment.

Our Child Support Attorneys handle Child Support Cases in Easton, Allentown & Bethlehem

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Child Support