Cleveland Child Support Lawyer

Cleveland Child Support Attorney

At Nowlin Family Law, we believe that integrity and professionalism are paramount during emotionally challenging times. If you are recently divorced or your circumstances have changed, you might need to establish child support arrangements, or you may require modifications to an existing arrangement. Our knowledgeable Cleveland child support lawyer is up-to-date with existing child support laws and can help guide you through the filing process.

Nowlin Family Law: Your Cleveland Law Connection

When Ryan Nowlin founded Nowlin Family Law, he did so because he desired the opportunity to help people who were going through difficult family situations. Certified by the Ohio State Bar Association, Attorney Ryan Nowlin focuses on the practice of Family Relations law. He is also a nationally recognized Fellow and Certified Arbitrator with the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

We have experience with domestic relations and juvenile court cases throughout Northeast Ohio. Our experience can guide you through the uncertainties of a family law case. When you hire a child support lawyer from Nowlin Family Law, you can trust that we have your child’s best interests in mind while making child support arrangements.

What Is Child Support?

In Ohio, child support is a monthly financial contribution the non-custodial parent pays to the custodial parent to cover the expenses of raising the child. The amount of child support is determined using the Ohio Child Support Worksheet, but can be challenged if either parent produces evidence that the amount is unjust or inappropriate. Specifically, the worksheet takes into consideration:

• The number of children
• Gross incomes of both parents
• Health insurance costs
• Daycare costs

When a parent challenges the standard child support obligation produced from the worksheet, deviations can be rewarded, either through increases or decreases in the obligation. A skilled child support lawyer can guide you on the specifics of your case to ensure your child support obligation is accurate for your unique circumstances. Common deviations include:

• Special or unusual physical or psychological needs of the child
• Unusual travel expenses when exchanging the child between parents
• The financial resources of the child
• Disparities in income between the two parents
• Direct payments for education, sports, clothing, and other necessary resources
• The established or expected standard of living of the child
• Extraordinary expenses related to either parent’s occupation

Child Support in Cleveland

In Ohio, child support is managed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services’ (ODJFS) Office of Child Support. While the ODJFS Office of Child Support sets policies, within each county is a local Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEAs) that enforces those policies. The CSEA handles establishing and enforcing child support orders, collecting and distributing payments, and modifying existing support orders.

In Cleveland, the CSEA for Cuyahoga County is located in the Virgil E. Brown Building at 1640 Superior Avenue. Child support orders typically last until the child turns 18 years old or graduates from high school, whichever happens last. The Cuyahoga County CSEA offers several services to parents:

• Locate non-custodial parent
• Establish paternity
• Establish child support orders
• Enforce child support orders
• Establish medical support
• Collect and disburse support
• Modify existing support

What Does a Cleveland Child Support Lawyer Do?

In Ohio, the divorce rate is 2.4 per 1,000 residents, and in Cuyahoga County, 45% of children live with only one parent. Child support cases can be complicated. After child support is initially established, Ohio allows for modification requests every few years, temporary modifications for short-term hardships, and modifications for a significant change in circumstances. These circumstances may include:

• Income changes. If either the custodial or non-custodial parent experiences a significant increase or decrease in income.
• If the child’s needs significantly change. An increase in educational, healthcare, or extracurricular activity costs can justify an increase, while decreases can occur if the child gains financial independence or their expenses are reduced.
• Changes to the amount of parenting time. Child support is partially calculated based on the amount of time the child spends with each parent. If there are significant changes, child support may be altered.
• Health or medical circumstances. For both the parent and child, if there are changes in medical needs or overall health, child support may be altered to reflect these changes.
• Relocation. When either the custodial or non-custodial parent relocates, the new living arrangements, available schools, and additional expenses are reevaluated to determine the best interests of the child.

Deciding custody and child support can be an especially difficult time, but going through the court system is not the only option to establish child support. A skilled child support lawyer can also assist parents in creating an equitable child support order through mediation.

Parents who are already separated or going through a divorce can choose to use the services of a professional mediator to negotiate child support. Instead of a judge determining child support amounts, parents sit with a trained mediator to decide on the terms of the child support case. A knowledgeable Cleveland child support attorney can help recommend a plan that is fair while supporting the needs of the child.

Why Do You Need a Cleveland Child Support Lawyer?

Officially establishing child support through mediation or the court system is always beneficial for both the custodial and non-custodial parent, even if both parents agree on the support amount. With the guidance of an experienced Cleveland child support attorney, both parents are protected in the event there are disagreements in the future. For instance:

• Ohio calculates child support based on the gross income of both parents. With a legal order for child support, both parents’ incomes are officially reviewed, and extenuating circumstances can be established if necessary.
• Underpayments or overpayments. When parents pay through the CSEA system, each payment is recorded and verifiable. If either parent claims payments have not been made, or the amounts were inaccurate, CSEA can verify that the appropriate amounts were made.
• Life changes. As your circumstances change, your child support obligations can also be modified to reflect these changes. Payment obligations will also reflect when child support requirements have been fully met.

Hire a Child Support Lawyer Today

At Nowlin Family Law, we are dedicated to fair representation while looking at the best interests of the child. Whether you are the custodial or non-custodial parent, you and your child have rights that can be effectively represented by an experienced attorney you can trust. Contact Nowlin Family Law for a confidential consultation.