Child Support Lawyer

Raising children in Chicago is very expensive.  The cost of housing, clothing, food, extra-curricular expenses, and college can amount to several hundred thousand dollars. The list seems endless, particularly if these costs are paid from the income of only one parent.

Under Illinois law, both parents have a legal obligation to financially support their children, but not necessarily equally. Child support is not calculated by simply determining and splitting expenses.

In Illinois, child support issues are governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (the “Illinois Divorce Act”) which directs the Court to apply “Statutory Guideline” percentages (depending on the number of children) to the “Net Income” (which is defined in 750 ILCS 5/505) of the non-custodial parent to determine the proper child support amount.

Even though child support calculations are formula-based, there are individual circumstances that factor into support awards (such as if the non-custodial parent is self-employed, gets paid in cash, or gets large fluctuating bonuses). As a result, under certain circumstances, the Court can deviate from the Statutory Guidelines and allow higher or lower percentage amounts.

It is also important to understand that net income as defined for child support purposes is generally not the same as take home pay. Since child support is typically paid for many years, even small dollar errors can become significant. There are also possibilities to eliminate child support payments (e.g. Shared Joint Custody).

Child Support -- Next Steps

The complexities of Child Support don’t end with finding all sources of income and applying a formula. Child support payments are intended to cover necessary and miscellaneous expenses (e.g. housing, food, clothing, medical, education, recreation and vacation), but not all child related expenses. Which parent is responsible for paying these other expenses such as health insurance, day care, orthodontia and college education must also be determined.

Is My Child Support Figure is Accurate?

You need a good detail-oriented Illinois child support attorney who is not afraid to roll up his or her sleeves and investigate all possible sources of income. The Law Office of Michael A. Perez can help reduce your stress by helping to investigate all sources of income, making sure the proper deductions are made to arrive at net income, and arguing for an upward or downward deviation from the Statutory Guidelines when appropriate.

The Law Office of Michael A. Perez will also make sure the responsibility for the payment of other child-related expenses (such as health insurance, day care, orthodontia, and private school tuition) not intended to be covered by child support is properly handled in the divorce.

If you are being paid child support, we will make sure you get your fair share. If you are paying child support, we will make sure you are not over paying.

We can handle all of the child support aspects of your divorce, including:

• What Is Covered by Child Support?
• How is Child Support Calculated?
• How Child Support is Paid?
• When Do Child Support Obligations End?
• Failure to Pay Child Support?
• Other Financial Support Obligations