At Sweeney & Associates, LLC, our Quincy family attorneys help clients address a variety of challenging family law issues, understanding the importance of efficiency and compassion necessary in handling these cases. Child support is a major issue that our clients must contend with. It is guided by our state's laws, and Massachusetts has developed Child Support Guidelines that govern the calculations of child support.
Both parties' gross income is taken into account when calculating child support as is the amount each parent pays for child care costs, health insurance, dental/vision insurance or other child support obligations. The Probate and Family Court generally follows the calculation derived from applying the Child Support Guidelines. If the court decides to deviate from the Guidelines, the judge must make written findings of fact. Certain cases require a judge to deviate from the Guidelines.
For example, if a child has medical disabilities or mental disabilities that require expensive treatment not covered by insurance, the court can order a higher amount of child support. Generally, however, the court will order child support based on the Guideline's calculation, and it is important to properly document the income and expenses of both parties.
Overtime wages, cash payments in some occupations and expenses that you may not be aware of are important issues to be covered prior to any hearing to ensure that the children receive their legitimate support from their noncustodial parent.
Please contact our family law attorneys online today, or by calling (617) 300-0212, so we can begin protecting your rights in child support proceedings. We offer free initial consultations to all clients, during which we will begin to discuss the details of your case and the best way to proceed.