Protecting Your Family's Future with Jefferson Child Support Attorneys
When parents get divorced, one of the most contentious issues can be child support payments. Determining the amount one parent should pay to the other for the financial care of any children involved is complicated, especially when parents don't agree. That's why having an experienced family law attorney by your side can make all the difference.
Meet Katie, a 32 year old dental hygienist living in Jefferson, WI with her two young daughters ages 5 and 7. After finalizing a difficult divorce from her ex-husband, Katie was left trying to navigate setting up a fair child support agreement on her own. With limited knowledge of Jefferson County's convoluted legal system, Katie was overwhelmed and unsure if she was getting the child support she and her girls deserved.
That's when Katie turned to Attorney Abigail Henderson of Sterling Lawyers. With deep knowledge of family law and compassion for clients during trying times, Abigail has successfully helped many single parents like Katie understand and obtain reasonable child support in Jefferson County. Read on to learn more about Katie's story and how Attorney Henderson's knowledge guides clients through the complicated legal maze to protect their rights.
As a hardworking single mom, Katie's life is a balancing act. She gets the girls up early, makes breakfast, and gets them off to school before commuting to her job as a dental hygienist at a nearby clinic. In the afternoons there's dance lessons, piano practice, grocery shopping and homework to oversee, followed by the nightly bedtime routine.
Weekends are consumed with laundry, cleaning and errands, with the occasional trip to the park or children's birthday party for fun. It's exhausting managing it all on her own, especially on a modest hygienist's salary. Katie's ex-husband makes substantially more money working in pharmaceutical sales, but has the girls only once every other weekend.
When their divorce was finalized 6 months ago, Katie's ex-husband reluctantly agreed to limited child support payments that don't begin to cover half of the girls' expenses. Katie has had to take on extra weekend receptionist shifts at the dental office just to pay for necessities. She also moved into a small two bedroom apartment in a less desirable school district to save on rent.
Katie reached out to her ex-husband several times asking him to increase his support contributions, but he refuses. He insists Katie is exaggerating the girls' expenses and that the current amount should be plenty. Too confused and overwhelmed by the idea of taking him to court over it herself, Katie was at a loss. That is until she found Attorney Abigail Henderson.
Lacking the legal knowledge to face the labyrinthine family court process alone, Katie was intimidated by the idea of modifying the child support order without help. Thankfully, skilled family law attorneys know how to navigate the complicated local procedures and legal requirements to build a compelling case on a client's behalf. They understand which financial documents, school and medical records, and other evidence carries the most weight.
Attorney Henderson was the perfect advocate to have in Katie's corner. Having previously worked directly with low income clients at a family law clinic, Attorney Henderson is passionate about making sure single parents get the child support they need. She has seen firsthand the costly toll insufficient support takes on families, and works diligently to prevent that.
With keen insight into the local family court judges and magistrates, Attorney Henderson also knew the most persuasive arguments and fact patterns for gaining favorable rulings. This level of skill is instrumental when the difference of just a few hundred dollars a month in child support can vastly improve a client’s quality of life and economic stability.
To petition the Jefferson County family court to modify the existing child support order, Attorney Henderson first had to file various forms and financial documents. These included:
- Motion to Modify Child Support detailing the requested changes
- Updated financial disclosure statements from both parents
- Proof of medical insurance documents
- The last 2 years of tax returns for both parents
- Pay stubs documenting current income
- A proposed new child support calculation worksheet
Navigating these procedures without legal assistance can be overwhelming and complicated. A seasoned attorney like Abigail Henderson offers the much-needed guidance and representation.
Achieving a fair child support agreement is crucial to safeguarding the future of the children involved. With an attorney like Abigail Henderson, one can sail through the process with relative comfort. Abigail not only advocates for her clients but also assists them in building a secure and sustainable future. Self-representation, while possible, can lead to increased stress, confusion, and potentially undesirable outcomes that may negatively impact those involved for years to come.
Navigating family court procedures requires an understanding of the legal process. Having an attorney by your side reduces emotional stress while ensuring that your rights are protected. Sterling Lawyers prioritizes your welfare, helping you find a new normal that is safe, secure, and sustainable.
Notice: Names and situations in this article have been altered to maintain attorney-client privilege. This narrative illustrates the types of situations Sterling Lawyers handles. For privacy purposes, we do not discuss specific case outcomes.