What to Expect from Child Support Proceedings in Arizona

No matter what perspective it is seen from, the breaking up of a family is never an easy process. When there are children involved, the situation becomes even more complicated, since this often means that things like custody, visitation, and child support must be determined.



The whole process can be overwhelming, but one of the most lengthy and difficult steps is determining child support – specifically, who pays who, and how much. The most common child support arrangement is set up so that the parent who does not have custody of the child regularly pays a certain amount to the parent that does have custody of the child.



If you are facing circumstances that might require you to go through the process of determining child support for your family in Arizona, you may not know what to expect, and may be worried about the process. Here are some basic things you should know about the child support proceedings in Arizona that may make you more confident as you move forward.



What will be determined by my child support case?



Your Arizona child support case will determine:

• Who makes, and who receives, the child support payment

• How often child support payments will be made

• The amount of child support to be paid



How is the amount of child support determined?



The official Arizona Child Support Guidelines state that the total child support amount "approximates the amount that would have been spent on the children if the parents and children were living together." Determining this amount can often be very difficult, since the parties must take into account many different factors.



The most basic formula for determining the amount of child support to be paid in Arizona takes into account how many children are involved (and their ages), the income of each parent, how many days of the year each parent will spend "parenting," and which parent will be providing medical insurance for the child/children.



What other factors can come into play when determining child support?



Of course, child support cases are rarely simple. Things like self-employment, social security payments, alternate sources of income, and education expenses may be taken into account when determining child support. In order to make sure that everything has been accounted for in your case, you need to make sure that you hire a well qualified child support attorney to assist you. The right attorney can make a significant difference in your case, whether you are on the paying or receiving end of the child support.



How are child support requirements enforced in Arizona?



Like many states, Arizona takes its child support laws, and the requirements set forth by each particular case, very seriously. Individuals who fail to meet these requirements often meet severe punishments, including withholding wages, driver’s license suspension, or even warrants issued for their arrest. If you are concerned about the other party in your case not making prompt child support payments to you, rest assured that there are plenty of laws in place to prevent this. If you find yourself in the position of being required to pay child support, you need to know that this is a legal obligation that you should take very seriously.



What if problems arise after my case is completed?



Even after initial child support requirements are set, certain circumstances may arise which might cause the terms of the agreement to change. Because of this, it is important that you keep all documents associated with the case and the payments, including pay dates and amounts, along with check numbers. Also make sure you keep detailed and current documents about yourself and the children involved. Any qualified child support attorney should be able to help you with any problems that arise.





The best way to make sure that all your bases are covered is to talk to a child support attorney. Be open and honest with your attorney, and cooperate to the best of your ability, so that your case can be completed smoothly, and so you and your family can move on with your lives.