Child Support and Custody Representation
for Clients in Concord, NH & the Surrounding Areas

Name: Celenza Family Law
Address: 3 N. Spring Street, Concord, NH, 03301
Telephone: (603) 226-4796

The first priority is the welfare of your children.

In the case of a divorce or legal separation involving children, the first action the court will take will be to issue orders for child support. When there is uncertainty about the family, the courts want to know that the children will be cared for and have food, clothing, and shelter to meet their needs. Child support is a way to ensure that both parents share in the financial responsibility for the children, and that the children are able to maintain the standard of living they were used to when the family was intact.

At Celenza Family Law, our team is dedicated to protecting the well-being of children through proper child support and custody representation. Contact our Concord, NH office today to schedule a consultation with our family lawyer.

Learn About Child Custody & Child Support Laws

In New Hampshire, child support payment amounts are determined by a number of factors. These include the monthly income of both parents, child care expenses, mandatory retirement paid by either parent, state and federal taxes paid by both parents, and some health insurance costs. As a rule of thumb, about 25% of your income will be assessed for one child, 33% for two children, 40% for three children, and 45% for four or more children. Your family lawyer will provide more accurate numbers by looking at all the factors involved.

In regards to child custody, it's not always an easy answer as to which parent will get custody. New Hampshire courts have to consider many things when deciding who will receive custody, including:

Child's relationship with each parent
Child's present and future developmental needs & each parent's ability to meet those needs
Parent's ability to provide for, nurture, and love the child

These are just a few of the factors a family law judge must consider when deciding which parent gets custody of a child. While this is not a comprehensive list, it's a good place to start. Consulting with a family lawyer is always your best option to determine your best child custody strategy.

When It Comes To Child Support, It's Important To Know Your Rights

Child support is not a tax deduction, nor is it taxed as income. It comes up for review and modification every three years, or more frequently if there has been a substantial change in the circumstances of one or both parents. For example, if your “ex” starts driving around in a Ferrari or buys a ski home in the White Mountains, it may be time to go back to court. It should also be time for a review if a parent gets laid off or becomes disabled.

Child support payments can and should be made through an automatic wage assignment to avoid accounting nightmares and allow for a tax refund interception if the paying parent falls behind. Most of the time, child support ends when the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later. It can also end when a child marries, joins the military, and in other circumstances. In some situations—cases of disability or special needs determinations, for example—child support can continue for even longer.

Why You Should Hire Our Child Support Attorney

Knowledge of Family Law: We specialize in family law. Our child custody attorney knows the laws that affect your case and will help you receive the outcome that is best for your child.

Avoid Mistakes: It is easy to make a mistake when you try to handle all your legal obligations yourself. You have a lot going on in your life that can lead you to forget about filing deadlines and being fined. A family lawyer will help you to manage your case and help you to avoid costly mistakes.

Reduced Stress: Every child custody and support is emotionally draining and stressful. You have to worry about your child's well-being, filing documents on time, and appearing in court. Hiring a lawyer for your child custody case will help to alleviate stress for you because it gives you peace of mind that you are putting your best foot forward.

Child Support: Child support payments can quickly add up. Your life circumstances change over time and so should your child support payments. If you become unemployed or disabled, your income changes and you may not be able to afford your current payment. We can go to the courts for you and explain your change in circumstances and ask for a payment reduction based on your new income.

How Long Do Child Custody Cases Take to Complete?

Child custody cases are not easy to go through. They will be emotionally charged, stressful, and complex. Cases tend to take a long time because of the complexity that goes into the court determining what the best situation for the child is. This is not something that can be done in one or two days, in most cases. Child custody proceedings only get done quickly when one parent can prove that there are harmful conditions caused by the other parent such as abuse, drug addiction, or unsafe living accommodations. This is a rare occurrence. In most cases, family law cases involving the custody of children take up to several months to complete.

A Note Of Caution

If you are seeking to lower your child support payment, do it through the courts. The NH Supreme Court has ruled that side agreements between parents to lower child support are not enforceable. In other words, the receiving parent can come after you for back payments unless the agreement was filed with the court.

Contact Our Child Support Attorney to Access Reliable Counsel

Remember, once child support is ordered, it can last for a long, long time. So, whatever your situation, it is best to talk to a qualified family lawyer to learn about your rights and responsibilities and to make sure your children receive the best care possible. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services offers more information about current child support guidelines and payment obligations.