In the state of California, both parents are responsible for financially supporting any minor children they may have together, even if they are no longer a couple. Navigating a child support case can be confusing and stressful if you decide to go it alone. That’s why it’s important to consider working with a Temecula child support lawyer who has knowledge of the relevant California laws in your case.
Najera Law Group, APC: Your Temecula Child Support Lawyer
For over 20 years, Najera Law Group, APC, has experience helping individuals involved in family law and child support disputes. We’ve handled thousands of cases, and our firm can fight aggressively for our clients. We understand that the outcome of a child support case can greatly impact your life and the lives of your children. We also recognize that child support cases are complicated. Our firm aims to make family law and child support disputes as smooth as possible.
If you’re navigating the legal system, we can fight to protect your interests. Call (951) 821-4647 to schedule a free consultation. Se habla español.
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Built on Courtroom Experience, Driven by Purpose.
Our attorneys have collectively tried more than 250 jury trials and thousands of non-jury trials, contested hearings, and courtroom proceedings in Family Law, Probate, Civil Litigation, Tax, and Criminal Law. That experience shapes how we evaluate cases, counsel our clients, and fight for results.
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I’m Not Receiving Child Support for My Minor Children. What Should I Do?
In most cases, parents in California must ensure that the financial needs of their children are met until their children turn 18 or graduate high school. If the person you share a child or children with is failing to help you support them financially, you can take legal steps to enforce payment. In fact, if there are court-ordered child support payments in place, failing to pay child support can be a crime and result in jail time for the non-paying parent in certain instances.
If you’re not receiving child support from the co-parent of your minor children, Najera Law Group, APC, can help you understand your options for securing child support payments. If you don’t already have a child support order in place, you’ll need to start a family law case against the co-parent of your child. If you do have a child support order and the co-parent isn’t making required payments, you’ll need to seek enforcement through the courts.
Whatever the status of your child support arrangements, we can review your case details and determine an appropriate course of legal action. We can help you ensure that your child’s or children’s needs in Temecula, CA, are met.
I’m Paying Too Much for Child Support. Do I Have Options?
Child support payments in California are not standardized. The courts consider a number of factors when calculating child support payments. These can include time spent with your children, the amount of income you take home, and what you claim on your taxes. If you believe that your child support order requires you to pay too much, you might have the option to file a change to your support order. Najera Law Group, APC, can guide you through this process.
Failure to Pay Child Support
There are certain instances in which it becomes a crime to fail to make payments as required by a court-mandated child support order. The laws in California are designed to protect the interests of children and help ensure that both parents are contributing to their children’s basic needs, like food, housing, clothing, medical care, and education. The punishments for non-payment of child support in California can be severe and include:
Driver’s license and passport revocation
Garnishment of wages
Liens against property
Seizures of tax returns
Being found in contempt of court
Additionally, those who fail to pay their court-ordered child support payments can face jail time for civil or criminal charges, including felony criminal charges, depending on the circumstances of the case. Najera Law Group, APC, has knowledge of child support law in California. We have over two decades of experience representing a wide range of clients involved in disputes over non-payment of child support.
FAQs for Temecula Child Support Attorneys
Q: What Is the New Child Support Law in 2023 in California?
A: Senate Bill 343 is the new child support bill that was signed into law in 2023. This law repeals the previous uniform guidelines in California for child support payments. Under this new law, the parent who is obligated to pay child support could be ordered to pay uninsured healthcare costs for their minor children and expenses for certain childcare costs if those costs are incurred. Najera Law Group, APC, can help you understand what this new law means for your case.
Q: How Much Is Child Support for One Kid in California?
A: The amount of child support for one kid in California will depend on the individual circumstances of the parent who is obligated to pay child support. Factors that could impact how much you pay for child support for one child can include the amount of your income, what you claim on your taxes, and how much time you spend with your child. Every child support case varies, so consider hiring a lawyer to get personalized attention to your case.
Q: How Much Does a Child Custody Lawyer Cost in California?
A: The cost of a child custody lawyer in California depends on the complexity of the child support case. Legal representation for simple child custody cases, in which both parents are willing to negotiate and communicate the terms of their custody arrangement, will likely cost less than complicated child custody disputes. Najera Law Group, APC, can evaluate your child custody case and provide an estimated cost for legal representation services.
Q: How Much Back Child Support Is a Felony in California?
A: The amount of back child support that is a felony in California is $10,000. Repeated failure to pay child support in an amount that exceeds $10,000 is a criminal felony at the federal level. A conviction carries a prison sentence of up to two years, according to Section 228 of Title 18 under the United States Code. Excessive non-payment of child support is taken seriously by state and federal laws and could result in prison time and a felony conviction.
Contact Najera Law Group, APC, for Help With Your Child Support Case
At Najera Law Group, APC, we understand the impact that child support payments can have on your life and your child’s life. If you’re facing a child support dispute, we can help. Our attorneys have the knowledge of family law in California to guide you through the child support litigation process. Contact us today to ask about a case evaluation.
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