Talking to any child support lawyers in Greensboro, NC, can show you how very misunderstood child support can be as well as share some important information about how to effectively manage your child support payments. Here are some of the most basic tips for child support that everyone should know whether they are receiving child support payments or paying child support.
Never Pay Your Ex Directly
You will likely be required to pay your local child support office all of your child support payments. Even if you and your former spouse feel like you have an arrangement that is working okay where you are paying your ex-partner child support directly, put an end to it. The only way to make sure that all payments are accounted for and calculated correctly according to the court's decisions regarding your order is to pay through the child support office.
Go to Your Hearings
Make sure that you go to all of your hearings and act and dress appropriately at every one. Make sure that you arrive early to all of your hearings and are prepared with complete answers to the judge's questions. You need to be respectful of the judge at all times and never speak out of turn. If the judge says anything to indicate that you are acting inappropriately, you need to make sure to stop whatever you are doing and for the rest of your hearing just speaking when spoken to.
Your Child Support Order Is Not Concrete
A lot of people despair after their first court hearing to establish their child support because they perhaps didn't get the outcome that they were wanting or were expecting. However, after your first hearing, you should never despair because there is always the option of modifying your child support order. Especially after your life situation changes, such as you are downsized or terminated at your job, your hours are reduced, or you go through another financial setback that will require you pay less. You may not always necessarily be able to achieve lower child support obligations but there may be a chance if you work with a qualified child support lawyer of qualifying for a lower payment.
Do Not Blow Off Your Obligations
When you are unable to make your full child support payments, you should never just fail to pay your child support altogether. Even if all you can do is pay a portion of your child support payment one month, you should do all you can. You may still be found in contempt of court or receive some other penalty for not meeting your obligation, but the good news is that if you are paying something, it will look a lot better in court than if you were to pay nothing.
Keep in Touch with the Child Support Office
Make sure that the child support office to whom you pay your child support each month always has a way of contacting you. If they lose contact with you, you will likely miss important information that the judge or child support office has regarding your case.
Keep All of Your Documentation
Make sure that you keep copies of all of your checks for child support that you pay and any other documentation that you get regarding your child support payments. If your former spouse tries to argue that you are not making payments or that you can afford more than what you are already paying, you will need all the documentation you can get to help you with your case. Child support lawyers in Greensboro, NC, can help you achieve an affordable child support payment that will help you take care of your kids as well as keep yourself in the black.