Determining Child Custody and Support After Divorce
When parents get divorced, the legal system recognizes the child’s need for the support of both parents and part of that support involves finances. Child support is a legal requirement for the noncustodial parent to pay the parent who has custody of the child.
Determining who is the primary caregiver and who is the noncustodial parent can cause emotions to flare during an Oklahoma divorce. If you’re facing a complicated legal battle over child custody, contact the divorce lawyers at Putnam Law Office to protect your rights and your family.
Determining Custody & Child Support in Oklahoma Divorces
Various factors go into deciding who pays child support and how much they pay. Depending on how the outcome of the divorce case, one parent may have to pay child support as a noncustodial parent or both parents may be required to pay child support if a joint custody decision is made.
Joint custody is often the preference of families because it is considered better for a child’s psychological well-being. However, if a parent is shown to be abusive, then this may not be an option.
Another factor that affects child support is whether the noncustodial parent is a biological parent or a step-parent. A step-parent is not required to pay child support and is not legally obligated to make any payments towards a child who is not biologically related.
Depending on the circumstances, decisions of who ends up paying child support can lead to resentment or an outright refusal to make child support payments. With an experienced Oklahoma divorce lawyer at your side, you can ensure you achieve the level of custody you want and deserve and that the child support payments protect your own financial needs and the health and happiness of your child.
How Child Support is Determined
To determine the amount of child support, courts examine the monthly incomes of each parent. Other factors like the child’s financial resources, educational needs, the emotional or physical condition of the child, and similar factors may also affect the amount of payment ordered. Some courts may require the parent to pay a percentage of their salary and any bonuses they receive.
When to Contact an Oklahoma Divorce Lawyer
Divorce can be a difficult transition for anyone. When a parent fails to or refuses to pay needed child support, this can put a strain not only on the other parent but also on the child. The divorce lawyers at Putnam Law Office have experience and training in handling these types of difficult situations.
By speaking with one of our divorce lawyers, we can assess your situation and determine the proper course of action.
Oklahoma City Divorce Lawyer
If you are dealing with a complicated divorce in Oklahoma, contact the Putnam Law Office. You do not have to face these struggles alone, and we are here to help you get justice. Mr. Putnam is a lawyer in Oklahoma City, OK who puts clients first and will work with you to get this situation resolved. Contact us at (405)-849-9149 today.
