Aurora, IL Child Support Attorneys

Dedicated Lawyers Helping Establish Fair Child Support Orders in Aurora, Illinois

Financial stability is one of the most important factors that can help protect a child's well-being following a divorce or separation. Child support is intended to ensure that both parents contribute to the costs associated with raising their child, regardless of where the child primarily lives. The purpose of child support is straightforward: each parent should share the financial responsibility of meeting a child's everyday needs, including housing, food, healthcare, education, and other essentials.

Determining appropriate child support obligations is critical. A support order that is excessively high can cause financial distress to the paying parent, while an order that is too low may leave the receiving parent without sufficient resources to meet the child's needs. At The Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., we understand how the Illinois child support system works, and we can help ensure that all relevant financial considerations will be addressed as you work to resolve concerns related to child custody.

Illinois Child Support Laws and the Income Shares Model

The method used to determine child support obligations in Illinois is based on an estimation of the total amount of financial support a child would have received if both parents were living together in a single household. This amount is divided proportionally based on each parent's net income, and in some cases, each parent's amount of parenting time may also be a factor that is considered.

This method is meant to provide a more balanced and realistic approach to child support. Several key steps will be followed when calculating child support obligations:

1. Determine Each Parent's Net Income: The amount of income that each parent may use to support their children is calculated by subtracting specific deductions from gross income. These deductions include federal and state taxes and mandatory retirement contributions.
2. Calculate Combined Net Income: The court combines both parents' net incomes to determine their total shared financial capacity.
3. Determine the Child Support Obligation Using the Schedule of Basic Obligations: The state of Illinois provides a standardized table used to estimate the total cost of raising a child based on the parents' combined income and the number of children they share.
4. Allocate Child Support Between Parents: Each parent's percentage of the combined income will be applied to determine their share of the support obligation. In cases where parenting time is shared equally or near-equally, additional calculations may be made based on the number of overnight stays the children will have with each parent each year.

In addition to the base child support amount, parents may also share additional child-related expenses. These may include medical expenses, child care costs, and educational and extracurricular expenses. This can help ensure that all costs related to raising children will be shared fairly and that children will have the resources they need as they grow up.

How Our Lawyers Can Help Establish Fair Child Support Orders

Because every family's situation is unique, a thorough review of all financial information will need to be performed to ensure that child support will be calculated accurately. At The Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., we work closely with parents to gather documentation of both parents' income and the appropriate deductions that may be used. We will make sure decisions about parenting time will be factored into child support calculations. We will also make sure all appropriate additional expenses will be included in child support orders.

When addressing issues related to child support, we will:

• Perform a detailed financial analysis to ensure that no income sources are overlooked.
• Review the calculations of child support obligations to identify errors or omissions.
• Provide representation in court or during negotiations, advocating for an amount of child support that will meet children's needs while protecting a parent's financial interests.
• Assist with modifications of child support orders when a substantial change in income, employment, or parenting time occurs.

Contact Our Aurora, IL Child Support Lawyers

Establishing fair and accurate child support arrangements is a crucial step in a divorce or family law case involving children. At The Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., we can help you protect your child's future while also preserving your financial stability. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, contact our Aurora child support attorneys at 630-409-8184.