Reston, VA Child Support Lawyer

Experienced Attorney for Child Support Calculations in Reston, Virginia

When parents end their relationships, either through separation or divorce, both still have obligations to their children. Typically paid by the non-custodial parent, child support provides funds to assist with providing food, shelter, clothing, and other basic needs for shared children. Although the Code of Virginia Child Support Guidelines are used to set the amount of support to be paid, your family's needs may require deviations. Working with a knowledgeable family law attorney is essential for protecting your children's needs through fair child support payments.

At Nicole M. Burns, Attorney at Law, we can provide you with legal advice and representation tailored to your unique circumstances. We use the state guidelines as a reference, but we also realize that your and your children's interests are served best by pinpointed calculations that reflect real life rather than a clinical calculation. Whether you are establishing child support for the first time or requesting a modification or enforcement, we can provide you with thorough, comprehensive legal assistance.

Understanding When Child Support Can Be Ordered in Reston, Virginia

Married parents can separate or divorce, and unwed parents can end their relationships. Child support obligations can be assigned in a divorce decree or separation agreement, but they can also be pursued by unmarried mothers.

The husband is the presumed father of children born during a marriage, and he has both parental rights and financial obligations to his children. However, legal paternity must be established for an unwed mother to collect child support from the biological father. We represent clients seeking child support as well as clients who wish to challenge or question parentage.

Virginia Child Support Calculations

Various factors are considered when determining who will pay child support and the amount of monthly payments, including:

• The amount of time the children spend with each parent
• Each parent's income and earning ability
• Any special needs of the children
• Child care costs
• Cost for health insurance and medical expenses
• The number of shared minor children

Child support payments are intended to provide basic necessities for children. It is usually paid until the child turns 18, but if the child is still in high school at that point, it can continue until they turn 19 or graduate, whichever comes first. However, some exceptions can apply. If your child support agreement differs from the state guidelines, you may be asked to justify the deviation. Your attorney will handle this on your behalf.

If you wish, you can include commitments to pay for things like your children's healthcare, private school or college expenses, and fees associated with extracurricular activities. Whatever is included in your child support agreement, we will advocate for an outcome that serves your child's best interests and upholds your rights.

Modifying and Enforcing Reston Child Support Orders

Once the court approves your child support agreement, it becomes a legally binding court order. Both parents are expected to abide by the terms included in the order. However, situations and circumstances can change over time, sometimes necessitating a modification.

Justifiable grounds for seeking a modification include:

• A significant change in either parent's income, either earning more or less than before
• Changes in your children's needs
• Changes in your child custody and visitation schedules

We are prepared to represent either parent in child support modification requests. You could enter into a verbal agreement with your co-parent, but it is highly advisable to make formal modifications through the proper legal channels to protect your interests and avoid violating a court order.

If your co-parent has stopped paying child support, we can also help you seek enforcement of your existing orders.

Call Our Reston, Virginia Child Support Attorney

At Nicole M. Burns, Attorney at Law, we are here to help you look out for your child's welfare through an order of child support. When you are ready to get started, contact us at 703-373-4761 or through our online contact form. We serve clients in Northern Virginia from our offices in Reston.