Naperville, Illinois Child Support Lawyers

Trusted Attorneys Helping With Child Support Matters in Naperville

When parents are together, they both typically contribute to caring for their children, financially and otherwise. It is natural for children to become accustomed to a certain standard of living made possible by their parents' joint contributions, and they deserve to keep that standard as closely as possible if the parents separate or divorce. In many cases, one parent must pay child support to enable that standard of living to continue.

Illinois has strict guidelines for calculating child support, but that does not mean the process is easy. You can trust Goostree Law Group to prioritize your children's best interests as we help you resolve your child support issues. If you need to establish legal paternity for your child's biological father in order to seek child support, we can assist you with this process. You might be searching for competent legal counsel to request child support modifications or enforcement. Whatever your issue, we can help you resolve it.

Expenses to Consider in Naperville, IL Child Support Determinations

Providing clothing, food, and shelter for your children is only part of the overall costs associated with raising them. Other costs include healthcare insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses, such as deductibles, co-payments, and over-the-counter medications. If your children are involved in activities, there may be fees and other costs involved.

Childcare may be necessary while parents work. If your children are enrolled in a private school, those expenses will need to be addressed. You might also want to make commitments to help your children with college expenses. If your children have special needs, there may be several other necessary expenditures.

It is best to consider as many potential expenses as possible, because failing to include them in your child support arrangements may mean your ex will not feel an obligation to help. Your lawyer can ensure that your child support orders are thorough.

Establishing or Disputing Paternity in Naperville Child Support Cases

When parents are not married, the father does not have parental rights or obligations. That means unwed mothers may need to establish legal paternity in conjunction with seeking child support. On the other hand, you could be asked to pay child support for a child you do not believe is yours. We can effectively represent either party in paternity cases.

Ensuring Accurate Child Support Calculations in Illinois

With Illinois' income-sharing model, the first step is calculating how much money is needed to provide for your children's average monthly needs. The combined income of you and your co-parent, along with the number of shared children you have, are taken into account when determining the basic monthly child support obligation.

Because parents usually have different monthly income amounts, each of you will be assigned a proportional percentage of the monthly obligation according to your earnings. For instance, if one of you earns 60 percent of your combined income, that parent assumes 60 percent of the basic support obligation.

The amount of parenting time each parent has may also be considered. In many cases, the parent with the majority of the parenting time will receive child support from the other parent. However, if the amount of time your children spend with each parent is roughly the same, additional calculations may be required. Your lawyer's experience means we know how to calculate child support obligations accurately.

Modifying and Enforcing Naperville Child Support Orders

Circumstances can change as time passes. Your children's expenses may increase significantly, you may lose your job, or your co-parent may get a large raise. Your ex may fall behind on making the required child support payments, leaving you struggling to provide for your children. We can help you modify or enforce existing child support orders to reflect your updated situation.

Call Our Naperville, IL Child Support Attorneys

Child support matters can be complex and contentious. The attorneys at Goostree Law Group understand the applicable laws and the most effective ways to help you resolve your issues. Your complimentary initial consultation is confidential. Schedule yours today by calling 630-584-4800 or contacting us online.