Child Support Attorneys Serving Fishers And Hamilton County
Child support is the legal obligation in Indiana for parents to provide financial assistance for their children’s basic needs. Its purpose is to uphold for the children a standard of living comparable to the one they would have experienced had their parents’ union continued. The parent with less parenting time is typically ordered to make scheduled support payments.
The attorneys at Horvath & Pelkey, LLP, offer modern, accessible and client-first legal guidance, helping families across Fishers, Hamilton County, the Greater Indianapolis area and central Indiana. Our firm has over 33 years of combined legal experience with deep community ties, focusing on results-driven advocacy and comprehensive solutions for families. We are trusted local advocates committed to protecting families, defending rights and securing futures during life-altering moments.
How Indiana Calculates Child Support
Child support calculation in Indiana uses a formula called the “income shares model.” This model estimates the total amount that the parents would spend on their children if they lived together. Then, such an estimate is divided proportionally based on each parent’s income.
Both parents share this legal financial obligation. The noncustodial parent transfers their calculated share as a weekly support payment, while the custodial parent meets their share by spending money directly on the children’s needs.
The court considers several factors to determine the final amount a parent must pay:
- Parental income
- Any preexisting support obligations
- Custody arrangement or parenting time schedule
- Costs for health care, insurance premiums or work-related child care expenses
To ensure an accurate child support calculation, you must provide thorough financial documentation. Full and transparent disclosure of your financial status is crucial for the court to determine fair support. We guide our clients in compiling and understanding the necessary documents, emphasizing clarity for all involved parents.
Modifying And Enforcing Child Support Orders
You can ask an Indiana court to modify child support payments if a substantial and continuing change in circumstances occurs. State law generally requires a current order to be at least 12 months old, or the difference between the existing and proposed guideline calculations must exceed 20%.
As family law attorneys, we advocate for timely and fair adjustments to your support order when warranted by life events. Reasons for modifications often include:
- Involuntary loss of a job
- Significant change in a parent’s income
- Changes in custody or parenting time
- Major life changes, like a child’s emancipation
If a parent is not receiving owed support or struggling with back child support collection, we can help with various support enforcement options. These legal tools for the enforcement of child support orders include orders for income withholding and filing contempt actions to compel payment. We also assist with matters related to paternity and support obligations and resolving disputes over extraordinary parenting expenses.
Why Choose Horvath & Pelkey For Child Support Matters
Taking informed action can be critical to protecting your children’s financial stability and your rights. Our child support lawyers in Indianapolis offer approachable proficiency and responsive communication to help you navigate this complex process.
Schedule your initial, confidential child support consultation – virtual or in-person – by reaching out to us at 317-314-4315 or via our online contact form. During this first meeting, we will discuss your family’s unique situation and outline the necessary next legal steps.