Lombard, Illinois Child Support Lawyers

Skilled Attorneys for Child Support Issues in Lombard

As parents, we are obligated to care for and financially support our children. That remains true whether parents are married, cohabiting, separating, or divorcing. Child support payments can help parents continue to provide for their children's basic needs after a separation or divorce. Various challenges and disputes can arise between parents when it comes to child support, and as you address these issues, you need an attorney who knows how to protect your children's best interests.

Since 1997, The Law Offices of Robert F. Kramer, Ltd. has focused on helping Illinois families better their lives through our legal services. Many of our previous clients recommend us to others and return when they are in need of additional counsel, which is a high compliment and indicates that we do our jobs well. Every family is different, with different needs, resources, and goals. Our individualized treatment of each client ensures that the resolutions we suggest reflect your unique issues and circumstances. Call 630-785-2400 now to learn more about how we can assist you.

How Child Support Is Determined in Illinois

Illinois uses an income-sharing model to determine each parent's financial obligations to their children when their combined annual net income is less than $500,000. For families who exceed that yearly net income, other factors can be considered, including the standard of living the children have been accustomed to and the children's specific financial needs.

The income-sharing model uses each parent's annual net income to calculate monthly child support obligations. In some cases, the number of nights the children will stay with each parent during a year, according to child custody arrangements and parenting time schedules, may also factor into these calculations.

In addition to those monthly payments, parents will also need to address their children's out-of-pocket expenses. Your children are likely covered by health insurance offered by parental employment. Still, there are monthly premiums, yearly deductibles, and copays that must be paid. Over-the-counter medications may be required. Your child support arrangement needs to include the financial obligations of each parent regarding necessary healthcare expenses.

Your children may participate in various extracurricular activities. With fees, equipment and uniform purchases, and other related costs, these activities can be quite expensive. The costs of childcare can also be significant, but they may be necessary to ensure that children will be taken care of while parents are at work. Your parenting plan may detail how these expenses will be shared.

Your children may have been attending private school before your separation, but you may not be able to afford it without the other parent contributing toward the costs. We can help you present your case for these or other educational expenses. In addition, Illinois is one of the few states that allows courts to order parents to contribute financially to their children's college expenses, and you may want to include that stipulation in your child support orders.

Modifying and Enforcing Lombard, Illinois Child Support Orders

Once the court has made a ruling on your child support case, that ruling becomes an enforceable court order. However, circumstances may change that could allow for a request for a modification. Those grounds could include:

• Either parent experiencing a significant change in income, such as losing a job or getting a raise
• Unexpected, substantial expenses for your children
• One parent being injured or becoming ill
• Changes in your parenting time schedule

To avoid being charged with contempt for violating your court orders, we can help you request a modification if you are no longer able to meet your child support obligations or if there are other reasons to adjust the amount that will be paid. If your co-parent is not paying child support, we can seek the court's assistance to enforce those orders.

Establishing Paternity When Seeking Child Support

Your child's biological father may not be willing to pay child support, claiming he is not the child's father. We can assist you with establishing legal paternity and putting child support payments in place. On the other hand, we can represent you if you believe you are not a child's biological father when the child's mother is seeking child support from you.

Contact Our Lombard, IL Child Support Attorneys

Whether you are divorcing, seeking child support from a biological father, or dealing with other child-support-related concerns, you can trust The Law Offices of Robert F. Kramer, Ltd. to provide you with effective legal representation and guidance. With offices in Lombard and Plainfield, we serve the surrounding areas in Northern Illinois. Arrange for your complimentary consultation by contacting us online or calling 630-785-2400 today.