Pittsburgh Child Support Payment Attorneys
In Pennsylvania, child support is payable until a child reaches eighteen years old or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. If a child is physically or mentally disabled, child support could be payable for a longer period of time. The amount of child support that is payable in a Pennsylvania child support case is based upon the monthly after-tax incomes or earning capacities of the child's parents.
Do you have a question about child support? Call Lisa Marie Vari & Associates, P.C., at 412- 281-9906 or toll-free at 855-PA-FAMILY (855-723-2645) to schedule an appointment. Our lawyers are experienced in high income support cases, establishing child support, and modifying and enforcing Pennsylvania child support obligations.
How Is Income Defined in Child Support Cases?
Income for Pennsylvania support purposes includes:
- Wages
- Salaries
- Overtime pay
- Commissions
- Bonuses
- Interest
- Rental income
- Retirement income
- Social Security retirement or disability payments
- Workers' compensation
- Unemployment compensation
- Income from an interest in a business
- Entitlements to lump sum awards such as lottery winnings
If a person has unreported income such as tips or is paid "under the table", this income is also considered in the support calculations. Furthermore, if a person does not have any income, but is capable of working, the parent may be assessed with an earning capacity that is equivalent to what that person could earn given their education, skills and prior employment history.
Pennsylvania Child Support Guidelines
Once the parents' monthly net incomes are calculated, Pennsylvania courts apply the Pennsylvania Child Support Guidelines to determine the amount of support payable for the children. The Pennsylvania Child Support Guidelines are formulas that consider the income of the parents and the number of children, amongst other factors. In addition to the Pennsylvania Support Guideline amount, an order for child support may also require payment of a portion of other costs such as medical coverage for the dependent spouse and/or children, medical expenses not covered by insurance, and day care costs incurred while the custodial parent is working or going to school. Child support may be established below the Pennsylvania Support Guideline amount if the parents have shared physical custody or the payor has other children to support.
In some cases, a child support order may be combined in an order with an amount payable for spousal support, APL, or alimony and may also include provisions regarding payment of the mortgage on a marital home and/or health insurance. If a combined order for child and spousal support, APL, or alimony is entered, there may be significant federal tax consequences if an unallocated order is entered by the court. Please consult with a tax professional for additional advice in this situation.
Contact Our Pittsburgh Child Support Attorneys Today
Whether you need to initiate a new complaint for child support, modify the Pennsylvania child support order already in place, or enforce your existing child support order, our staff of Pennsylvania child support attorneys are ready to assist you. Remember that the initiation, modification or enforcement of child support will only take place after the necessary paperwork is submitted to the court, so act quickly, and schedule a consultation by sending us an e-mail, calling 412-281-9906 or toll free at 855-PA-FAMILY (855-723-2645).
Appointments are also available in Cranberry Township, Robinson Township, Mt. Lebanon (near South Hills Village Mall) and Pleasant Hills (near Century III Mall). Ask the secretary scheduling your appointment for details including appointment locations.
Our PA family law office routinely accepts child support cases in Allegheny County (Pittsburgh), Beaver County, Butler County (Cranberry Township), Washington County, and Westmoreland County (Greensburg). To learn about the individual county procedures in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland Counties, click here.
We accept cases in other Western PA counties such as Armstrong County, Erie County, Fayette County, Greene County, Lawrence County, Mercer County, Somerset County and Venango County on a case-by-case basis.
Click here to read notable Pennsylvania child support cases.
Interested in learning about Florida's laws on child support? Click here.
