Providing Guidance And Counsel On Child Support And Alimony Agreements

Money problems are one of the most common sources of arguments in relationships and that does not change after a divorce. Although there are legal guidelines for determining child support and alimony, that does not mean that spouses and parents will agree on the court-ordered payments. It is also no guarantee that payments will be made in full and on time. At Erica Baez Law, we work with spouses and parents to help ensure that alimony and child support payments are fair and that spouses required to make payments are honoring their responsibilities.

Counsel On Child Support Agreements

Child support agreements in Virginia law are drafted in accordance with state child support guidelines. We explain the basics of these guidelines and how they apply to each client’s unique financial situation. Our attorneys will help you negotiate a child support arrangement that accommodates your financial situation and provides for your child(ren)’s needs. We advise parents on:

• • Mediating child support agreements
  • How state child support guidelines affect them
  • The litigation process when conflicts end up in court
  • Modifying child support orders when financial circumstances change
  • Enforcing child support orders when ex-spouse refuses to pay

At Erica Baez Law, we believe that the best way to create a child support agreement is through the mediation process. Mediation allows couples to peacefully collaborate and focus on the best interests of their child(ren). However, there are times when litigation is unavoidable. If you and your child(ren)’s other parent end up in court, we will be at your side throughout the process. We are meticulous in our preparations and explain the process and keep you informed about every development along the way.

Enforcement And Modification Of Child Support Agreements

If your financial situation or that of your ex-spouse has changed or your ex-spouse is behind on child support payments, we can help. Our legal team can guide you through the proper legal channels to collect on past-due support payments. We can also help you modify existing agreements so that they better reflect the current financial situations of you and your ex-spouse.

Spousal Support In Virginia

While child support payments are based on formulas and state guidelines, there are a lot of variables considered when determining spousal support payments. The court has a lot of discretion in evaluating financial circumstances and determining what the payments should be. Factors that affect alimony payments include:

• • How long the marriage lasted
  • The standard of living during the marriage
  • Each spouse’s income and expenses
  • Fault in the break-up of the marriage
  • Whether one spouse contributed to the education expenses of the other
  • Whether a spouse appears to be willfully unemployed or underemployed

In cases where the court determines that one of the spouses is not working as much as they could be, they have the power to calculate payments based on the income they believe the under-reporting spouse should be making. To ensure that your alimony arrangements are fair, it is critical to have an experienced legal team on your side.

Contact The Experienced Legal Team At Erica Baez Law

Call the Richmond office of  Erica Baez Law at 804-476-0613 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.