Each time there is a downtrend in the economy, almost every facet of our lives is affected. However, one area that is not often considered, but still very important, is child support. Economy downtrends affect the courts, the parents paying child support, and the children themselves – families can be torn apart. This is one of many issues that The Law Office of Mark E. Sawicki can help you through!
If one parent becomes unemployed and can no longer pay child support, the other parent is forced to take on even more of an economic burden. Also, if the court did not officially reduce the amount, the parent unable to pay child support could end up in jail. Either way, at this point, the family could be struggling to pay for food, their home, and other basic necessary resources. The higher unemployment rises, the more families need to adjust their child support agreements in court.
Based on this conflict, the courts experience more difficulty in trying to decide what’s fair for these families affected. If one parent can no longer afford to pay, is it fair for the other to have to take on even more responsibility? The courts calculate support based on the number of children and their specific needs, the income of each parent, and the standard of living in their particular location.
Based on the effects of COVID-19 on our economy, millions of people in the United States are now unemployed. The toll that this can take on American families is extreme. There are a multitude of parents who want to pay child support but simply cannot afford it. Moreover, while family members may be more understanding of these circumstances given the gravity of COVID’s effects, these discrepancies still need to be addressed so that the children have their basic needs met.
Modification to child support can be made using a court order if the motion is filed for review and the order is approved by the court. To make this modification, the household needs a family law attorney to contact the child support division and relieve some of the burdens they are facing. Contact The Law Office of Mark E. Sawicki to help your family today!
Cortney Rielly 