Diligent And Experienced Massachusetts Child Support Attorney
At my practice, Barbara J. Katzenberg, Attorney at Law, I work to resolve child support matters in favor of clients throughout Worcester County. While resolving child support disputes can be relatively straightforward, there are times when they can be financially complex.
My many years of experience in the field of family law helps me to quickly determine what needs to be done to work to achieve a satisfactory outcome for my client. I am committed to achieving your goals as quickly and efficiently as possible. This includes issues related to:
- Determination of the required child support level
- Enforcement of child support orders
- Modifications in child support
- Paternity as it relates to child support
For more information and to schedule a consultation, please call me at 508-471-3281.
How Child Support Is Decided
Child support is decided according to a standardized formula, Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines, that evaluates certain factors such as custody, income of either spouse, lifestyle and needs of the child. This keeps the child’s best interests as the priority and provides a sense of fairness in supporting the child’s needs. Generally, the parent who provides the primary residence for the child receives payment from the other parent.
Over time, if the income or circumstances of the parents change, this amount can be reevaluated to reflect those changes. A modification can also be requested if the needs of the child change over time, including medical situations or extraordinary expense.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Support In Worcester
These answers cover common questions Worcester parents raise about shared custody, support after 18 and added costs.
How is child support calculated if we share 50/50 custody in Worcester?
With roughly 50/50 custody, the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines use a cross-calculation, so equal parenting time does not automatically mean zero support. The worksheet figures what each parent would owe if the other had sole custody, then subtracts the lower amount from the higher one.
The higher earning parent pays the difference to the lower earning parent. The goal is a similar standard of living for your child in both Worcester households.
Does child support automatically stop when my child turns 18 in Massachusetts?
No. Many parents assume support ends on the 18th birthday, but Massachusetts law allows it to continue in several situations. Support may continue in the following circumstances:
- Still in high school: If your child turns 18 before graduating, support continues while they finish high school.
- Living at home and dependent: The court can order support until age 21 if the child lives with a parent and is principally dependent on that parent.
- Enrolled in college: A judge can extend support up to the child’s 23rd birthday if they are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program.
If your order or agreement does not state an end date, you cannot stop paying at 18 without a court order. Missed payments can lead to a contempt complaint.
How are childcare and health insurance premiums factored into the support formula?
The worksheet treats each differently. If you pay for your child’s health, dental or vision insurance, you deduct that premium from your gross income on the worksheet.
Parents share reasonable childcare costs that let a parent work or attend school in proportion to their incomes. The guidelines generally cap the childcare deduction at 15% of total combined income, so the worksheet may not fully count unusually high costs. Because these costs often surface alongside custody and alimony questions, courts usually resolve them as part of a broader Massachusetts family law case.
Contact An Experienced Worcester Child Support Lawyer Today
To schedule a child support consultation with Barbara J. Katzenberg, Attorney at Law, call 508-471-3281 or send an email.