Montgomery County Child Custody Lawyers

Knowledgeable PA Custody Attorneys Protecting and Promoting the Best Interests of Your Child in Montgomery County & Bucks County

When parents divorce or separate, there is one consideration that takes priority over all others: the best interests of the children. If you have questions about a child custody issue or are engaged in a dispute over custody or visitation, the experienced family law attorneys at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford P.C. are here to help.

Call us today at (215) 822-7575 or contact us online to speak with an experienced Montgomery County, Pennsylvania family law attorney.

Child Custody Solutions for Families in Pennsylvania

At Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford P.C., our lawyers handle a wide range of family law problems including those involving child custody and visitation. In Pennsylvania, shared custody is becoming more and more common as courts recognize the need for both parents to have significant time with their children. But the need for sound legal guidance is important to ensure that your needs and your child’s needs are met.

We help our clients establish child custody arrangements and with related matters, including:

• Custody schedules: Visitation rights will set the groundwork for the family relationships moving forward. We can help you create a schedule that suits your interests and those of your child.
• Relocation issues: Before a child can go through a significant relocation, the custodial parent must first receive permission.
• Child support: Our attorneys will help ensure that the child support agreement is fair and appropriate.
• Modification and enforcement of orders: If your custody orders are no longer appropriate for your living situation, it may be time to pursue a modification. We also assist with enforcement actions.

Our attorneys understand the sensitive nature of these legal issues and will handle your legal matter with care and attention to detail. When disputes arise over child custody or visitation, we will work to help you resolve them amicably. We are adept at resolving disputes through negotiation and also offer mediation services. When courtroom action is necessary, we are fully prepared to meet your needs.

What Are the Pennsylvania Child Support Guidelines?

When deciding matters regarding child support, the court uses the child support guidelines outlined under Pennsylvania law. Support is determined by the child’s reasonable needs and the parent’s ability to pay. Pennsylvania’s child support guidelines can be complex, so it is essential to enlist the assistance of an experienced child custody lawyer.

How Much Child Support Does a Parent Have to Pay in Pennsylvania?

The amount of child support a parent has to pay is calculated by combining the parent’s monthly net income with the number of children. Net income is your monthly pay minus state, federal, and local taxes. In other words, it is the actual amount of money that you take home each month after these deductions. 

For example, suppose the parents of two children have a combined monthly net income of $8,000. According to Pennsylvania’s child support guidelines, if one parent’s monthly net income is $3,500 and the other parent’s is $4,500, their monthly basic child support obligation for their two children is $2,000. Since one parent contributes 56% to the household income, they would have to pay 56% of the basic child support obligation. In this scenario, the amount would be $1,125. You can refer to Pennsylvania’s Basic Child Support Schedule to get an idea of how much child support you may be obligated to pay in your unique situation.

It is essential to note that the amount of child support you may need to pay can be influenced by several other factors, including:

• Whether or not the children attend private school or summer camps
• Which parent covers the child’s health insurance
• Whether or not there are unreimbursed medical expenses for the child exceeding $250

While Pennsylvania’s child support guidelines inform the court’s decisions regarding child support, they are only guidelines. Often, child support payments are not limited to necessities but may also include expenses that could reasonably benefit the children.

Deviation From Pennsylvania’s Child Support Guidelines

The court may feel the need to deviate from Pennsylvania’s established child support guidelines in certain circumstances. Some factors the court may consider when deviating from the guidelines include:

• Uncommon needs or fixed obligations for the one or more children
• One parent has other support obligations
• The household has another source of income
• One or more children are over the age of 18
• The assets and liabilities of both parties
• Any medical expenses not covered by insurance
• The standard of living both parties and the children are used to
• The amount of spousal support (alimony)
• The total length of the marriage
• Any other factors, including the best interests of the children

Despite the guidelines, determining how much child support you may be obligated to pay can be challenging to predict on your own. An experienced child custody attorney will advocate on your behalf to ensure you are being treated fairly and that your rights are protected throughout this challenging process. 

How Is Child Support Calculated in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, child support is determined using the Income Shares Model. The Income Shares Model is a type of child support model built on the premise that child support should reflect the same proportion of parental income as if the parents lived together. This method requires that each parent’s share of the basic support obligation is proportional to their monthly net income. 

Ultimately, the process of calculating child support using this model involves the following steps:

• Evaluating each parent’s income
• Adjusting for alimony/spousal support
• Bringing both incomes together
• Calculating each parent’s contribution
• Reviewing the child support schedule
• Taking the baseline child support and multiplying it by the contribution percentage
• Making provisions for additional expenses

Pennsylvania is one of the forty-one states that use the Income Shares Model to calculate child support. Whether you are the custodial parent or noncustodial parent, you need to understand how this process works and what factors will be considered when calculating support. 

Anyone considering filing for child support or who has had a support case filed against them may benefit from working with a child custody lawyer. Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford has highly skilled attorneys who may be able to answer questions you have about child support.

Schedule Your Free Initial Consultation with Experienced Child Custody Attorneys in PA

Are you facing a child custody dispute? Contact us today online or by telephone to speak with a knowledgeable Pennsylvania domestic relations lawyer. We are located right off of Route 309, in Colmar, Hatfield Township, and offer free and convenient parking. We also have a location in Newtown, PA and can meet with you in your hospital or home depending on your circumstances. Our child custody lawyers in Lansdale, PA serve areas of Montgomery and Bucks County, PA including: Norristown, Newtown, Abington, Warrington, Bristol, Warminster, Upper Dublin and more. To get started and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, give us a call at (215) 822-7575 or reach out through our contact form today.