Phillips, Lerner, Lauzon & Jamra in Los Angeles represents clients throughout Southern California who seek appropriate child support arrangements or their modification. PLLJ’s lawyers have developed insight, skill, and sophistication through years of practice in family law. The firm has represented numerous business professionals, entrepreneurs, homemakers and celebrities in film, television, music and sports in the negotiation, mediation, or litigation of issues relating to child support. You are invited to contact PLLJ for a consultation. Child Support - An OverviewEnforcing the obligation to pay child support is a national priority. Federal legislation and state laws exist to make enforcement and collection of child support easier. Each state has particular guidelines for establishing child support and there are various methods to recover the support you are owed. If you are ending a marriage, are already divorced or are trying to hold your child's other parent legally responsible, it is important to consult with a family law attorney. Contact a family law attorney in your area to learn more about your state's child support laws. He or she can review your child support matter and help you find the best solution to meet your child's needs. Modifying Child SupportChild support orders can be modified to meet changed needs in the parents' or child's life. Either parent can petition the court for a modification. The court will then determine whether there has been a significant and material change in circumstances either concerning the child's needs or the payor parent's ability to financially meet his or her obligations. Enforcing Child Support OrdersParents must meet their child support obligations. Those who do not pay, pay less than required or pay sporadically may be subject to contempt proceedings, fines and even jail time. When Do Child Support Obligations End?Many factors are taken into account in determining when child support payments will end. In some situations, it is as simple as the child reaching the age of majority. In others, payments may not end until the child has graduated from college. Child Support and TaxesTaxes can be reduced by allowed deductions and exemptions. Deductions reduce the amount of taxable income, and exemptions reduce the adjusted gross income, such as standard withholding or dependency exemptions. If you pay child support or receive it, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has a strict set of rules in place to control the deductions and exemptions that you are allowed because of the payment or receipt of child support. Often, the terms of your divorce decree and related agreements will control the extent to which any tax offsets are available.
The information contained in this Child Support Information Center is general and may not be specific to your situation. If you have questions regarding a particular issue, please feel free to contact Phillips, Lerner, Lauzon & Jamra for a consultation.     |
Phillips, Lerner, Lauzon & Jamra, LLP, handles cases throughout Southern California and the LA area, as far north as Santa Barbara, west to Palm Springs, and south to Orange and San Diego counties. They represent clients in communities such as Beverly Hills, Burbank, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, Irvine, and Newport Beach, as well as handling interstate and international custody disputes.