Established Child Support Lawyer Helps Resolve Conflicts in New Jersey
Experienced Montclair attorneys dedicated to your children’s well-being
Parents must consider not only how divorce affects them, but also how it affects their children — both emotionally and financially. Pamela M. Cerruti, Counsellor at Law is experienced in all family law matters. I help you obtain a fair and reasonable child support arrangement that allows you to raise your child in a safe and healthy environment. Drawing on more than 29 years of experience, I help parents:
- Understand when the child support guidelines apply and when they do not apply
- Help you seek ways to obtain arrears
- Enforce child support orders
- Modify child support orders
In some cases, litigation is necessary for your child to receive fair financial support from both parents. I methodically prepare for litigation to achieve the most equitable support arrangement for your child.
Working within and beyond New Jersey child support guidelines
New Jersey has guidelines that establish child support. The amount of child support is mostly based on the spouse’s income. Like most legal matters, there are always grey areas and room for interpretation. Montclair Child Support Attorney, Pamela M. Cerruti has helped countless clients find beneficial solutions to child support disputes. We put the best interest of your children first and work toward successful income. In addition to establishing child support we can help with the modifications of existing orders. If there is a substantial change of circumstance for either spouse modification can be necessary.
Enforcement and modification of child support
If your spouse has fallen behind on child support payments, you may need assistance to collect the money that rightfully belongs to your child. I guide you through the process of enforcing your child support order. Of course, financial problems or the changing needs of your children may alter your circumstances. Still, you must continue to pay child support at the current level until the court modifies your order. I help you petition expeditiously for a modification to avoid undue hardship.
I help parents modify child support orders and agreements as circumstances change.
Child support awards and agreements are based on the circumstances of the parents at the time of the proceedings and the foreseeable needs of the child or children. Changes in the lives of either parent or in the needs of the child may necessitate revisiting the amount of support awarded to account for life changes.
Understanding how a support order is modified
Often, the need to change a child support order is obvious. Unfortunately, this process is not always a simple one. It varies by state. In some states, judges will approve modified plans when both parents agree. In other states, a more formal court proceeding is required. I help parents create a new plan. When parents do not agree, I represent you in court to get a support order changed.
Reasons for modifying a support order
The desire or need to change a support order is often based on the changing circumstances of one of the child’s parents. In other cases, it is based on a child’s changing needs. Some of the many common reasons why parents seek to have the amount of support increased or reduced include:
- Loss of a job or source of income
- Increased income or inheritance
- A need to support other children
- Marriage
- Disability of a parent
- New educational expenses
- Additional expenses for activities such as sports
I have experience helping Montclair parents successfully get their child support orders modified for a wide variety of reasons.
You need to go through the courts to make changes
Financial problems may at times alter your current circumstance and you need to request modification. You can always do it through a consent with the other parent but most times you need to seek court relief for modification. Be aware you may have to continue to pay your child support at the current level until the court modifies your order. Sometimes parents believe that they can decide on their own to decrease or stop child support payments. This is almost never true. I help you petition expeditiously for a modification to avoid undue hardship.
Enforcing child support agreements
If your spouse has fallen behind on child support payments, you may need assistance to collect the money that rightfully belongs to your child. I guide parents through the process of enforcing a child support order.
Contact an experienced New Jersey family law attorney
Call Pamela M. Cerruti, Counsellor at Law at 973-746-5590 or contact me online to schedule a consultation with a family law attorney in Montclair, New Jersey.
