BPA Family Law
Child Support: Helping Parents Provide for Their Children Fairly, Clearly & Without Conflict
Raising a child comes with countless joys, and just as many responsibilities. When parents live apart, one of the most important questions that must be answered is how financial support will be fairly and consistently provided. Child support is not about one parent “winning” or “losing”; it’s about meeting a child’s needs and ensuring that both parents contribute to their upbringing in a way that reflects their capacity and the realities of daily life.
Helping achieve just that, BPA Family Law connects individuals and families with highly experienced, state-licenced attorneys who understand the nuances of child support law. Whether you need help establishing, modifying, or enforcing an order, we help you find a compassionate legal advocate who will prioritize your child’s well-being and financial security—while working to reduce stress and uncertainty for everyone involved.
Please complete the form below. Our Immigration Experts are available seven days per week
Understanding How Child Support Works
Every state has its own guidelines and formulas, but at their core, child support systems aim to balance the financial burden of raising a child between both parents. Support payments typically cover essential needs such as:
- Housing and utilities
- Food and clothing
- Health insurance and medical care
- Childcare and school expenses
- Extracurricular activities, in some cases
In most states, child support is calculated using a combination of factors, including:
- Each parent’s income
- Parenting time (how many overnights each parent has)
- Health insurance and daycare costs
- Existing support obligations for other children
- The number of children being supported
Some states like Texas or Illinois use an “income share” model which considers both parents’ incomes. Others like California use a “percentage of income” model, focusing on the non-custodial parent’s income. A third method taken up in states like Massachusetts blends different approaches based on specific circumstances.
A skilled attorney can walk you through how your state’s formula works and help ensure that all relevant income and expenses are documented accurately.
Establishing Child Support Orders
Support arrangements can be set through the court as part of a divorce, custody, or paternity case—or initiated independently through your state’s child support enforcement agency. The process generally involves:
- Filing a petition to establish support
- Providing financial documentation
- Attending a court hearing or administrative proceeding
- Receiving a formal support order
In some cases, parents can agree on a support amount outside of court—but to be enforceable, this agreement usually needs to be approved by a judge. BPA Family Law helps you find an attorney who can assist with both negotiation and litigation, so your child support order is legally sound, fair, and built to last.
Modifying a Child Support Order
Life changes—and so do financial circumstances. If your income has increased or decreased, if you’ve lost your job, or if your child’s needs have changed significantly, you may be eligible to modify your child support order.
Every state has its own criteria, but common justifications for modification include:
- Job loss or major change in income
- A change in custody or parenting time
- One parent becoming responsible for more children
- Medical issues or disability
- A change in the child’s needs (e.g., educational, health-related)
Most states require a “material change in circumstances” to justify a modification. However, certain states like Florida and Ohio allow for periodic reviews of support every three years. Wherever you’re living, BPA Family Law’s family law attorneys can help you file the necessary documents and represent your interests in court, whether you’re seeking a change or opposing one.
Enforcement of Child Support
If a parent falls behind on payments, or refuses to pay altogether, there are legal mechanisms available to enforce the order. Some of the most common include:
- Wage garnishment
- Intercepting tax refunds or stimulus checks
- Suspending driver’s or professional licenses
- Placing liens on property
- Contempt of court proceedings
Federal law supports enforcement across state lines through the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), meaning a parent who moves to another state can’t escape their obligations.
Still, enforcement can be time-consuming and emotionally draining. That’s why BPA Family Law exists: to help parents connect with attorneys who take swift, strategic action to get payments back on track, while reducing long-term friction between co-parents.
What About High-Income or Complex Situations?
Some families have unique financial structures such as business ownership, investment income, or inconsistent freelance work. Others may be dealing with hidden assets, underreported income, or disputes over what should be considered part of the support calculation.
BPA Family Law can match you with attorneys who have deep experience in these complex scenarios, including:
- Self-employed parents or contractors
- High net worth individuals
- Cases involving multiple jurisdictions
- Parental relocation disputes tied to financial responsibility
With the right attorney on your side, support arrangements can be made fair, transparent, and sustainable—no matter how intricate your financial picture might be.
Child Support with Dignity and Respect
At BPA Family Law, we believe every child deserves support to grow, learn, and thrive. It’s also crucial that every parent feels empowered to navigate the legal system with confidence, clarity, and dignity. We take the time to understand your situation and connect you with an experienced attorney in your state, someone who will listen to your concerns, walk you through your rights, and advocate for an outcome that protects your child’s future. No pressure, no judgment – just the right guidance, when it matters most.
*Subject to terms & conditions