Understanding Child and Spousal Support Issues
At Kanady & Quinn, P.C., our family law lawyer has 19 years of experience finding cooperative solutions to child support and spousal support issues. Attorney Nancy Quinn can discuss your child support and spousal support goals and help you establish realistic expectations. Her extensive experience representing parties on both sides of these issues helps her structure strategies tailored to your needs.
Child Support Guidelines
In Virginia, child support guidelines are straightforward. The judge uses a set formula based on income to determine your obligations or benefits. You may, however, persuade the court to deviate from the support guidelines in unusual cases. Our divorce attorney can provide in-depth guidance regarding when a judge may deviate from the guidelines or input income to an unemployed or underemployed parent.
The court can order continuing support for severely disabled adult children. Attorney Quinn also understands the unique issue of providing ongoing child support for disabled adult children. Typically, child support ends once your child reaches adulthood. However, disabilities and severe health conditions can cause financial hardships for the custodial parent. Our law firm can also provide detailed estate planning guidance for your divorce issues.
Spousal Support Issues
Unlike child support, the Virginia code does not contain a formula for determining on-going spousal support, also known as alimony. A judge must consider a list of 13 factors when deciding the nature, amount and duration of spousal support. The judge is not obligated under law, however, to grant alimony.
Our Richmond divorce attorney, Nancy Quinn, has 19 years of experience representing parties on both sides of spousal support. She can use local formulas to help client estimate possible support amounts.
In Virginia, your spousal support may be terminated upon cohabitation, analogous to marriage, for a period of a year or more. This means that even if you do not legally remarry, a new relationship could jeopardize your alimony.
Modifying Support Obligations
It is important to consult our attorney if you wish to ask for spousal support or may be obligated to pay support to your spouse. How you word your support agreement can create serious, lasting modification issues.
When a judge orders or establishes spousal support, it is modifiable. This means you can ask the court to change the details if either party experiences material changes in circumstances. Spousal support agreements decided outside of court must indicate whether or not they will be modifiable. If not properly written, you could face extensive obligations. You should always consult an attorney before signing an agreement with your spouse or former spouse.
Contact Us Today
To discuss your complex child and spousal support issues, please contact us at 804-282-8494 or you can send us an e-mail. Our office is centrally located in historic Bon Air.
