What You Need to Know About Stopping Child Support
Child support can end if the parents are back together or when the child reaches the legal age of 18. Child support can also end when a child becomes independent through the means of marriage, emancipation, or military service.
Child support aims to protect children and assure that both parents take care of them. Moreover, it also provides financial support to children. Divorce of parents and custody of the child are matters that can lay an adverse effect on the minds of the children. Furthermore, not paying child support can lead to severe consequences including jail time.
If you’re dealing with child-support-related legal problems, it’s best to take help from an experienced Philadelphia family lawyer who has in-depth knowledge of family law.
Alternatives to lower the monthly amount of child support
Instead of defaulting on the payment, you should be aware of some factors that can help you successfully reduce your monthly amount.
- Losing your job
- A reduction in income
- Changes in healthcare costs
- Financial hardship
If your financial situation is not good, you can file a petition in court to request lowering your monthly contributions. To do this, you must gather enough evidence that makes your situation clear.
You can search for second jobs that will help you earn more and will also enable greater financial security. A hearing review is also a good alternative. However, the time it takes can vary widely.
One option can be to show the court all evidence, including work termination papers, pay cuts, serious health conditions, and anything else that is preventing you from paying child support.
Reasons to stop child support payments
Refusing to pay for child support is a crime. But some factors can stop child support payments include:
- Death of a child
- Beneficiary reaching the age of 18
- Children emancipation
- Loss of parental rights
When a child reaches the age of majority, they are financially responsible for themselves in the eyes of the law. If physical custody is given to one parent, the custodial parent is not required to maintain the monthly payments.
Children are ultimately the parents’ responsibility until the age of majority. All parents must abide by Pennsylvania child custody laws to avoid punishment.
In the case of child emancipation, the parent is not responsible for paying child support payments. If the child works or is receiving an inheritance, child support may or may not continue, depending on the parents. Analysis of the financial situations of both parents is imperative before deciding whether to waive or lower any child support payments.
Need help related to child support? Contact us or schedule a free case consultation to learn more about child custody and other issues in family law.