When obtaining a divorce where children are involved, child support will be an issue that needs to be calculated and set by the court or by agreement. The state child support guidelines had its most recent change in 2009. Although there are several calculators available online, that may not give an accurate calculation for your particular situation.
Obtaining an accurate number from an experienced and trained attorney is better than trusting a calculation that may not take your unique situation into account. Another issue to be considered is the support for a child who will attend college.
Family law courts across the country recognize that a child’s educational opportunities should not suffer because his or her parents get divorced. But what, exactly, does that mean for parents who may be expected to foot the bill when their children go to college?
Some high-income parents may choose to pay for their children’s college expenses, regardless of state laws. However, many parents (regardless of whether they are divorced) do not have that financial luxury, and paying for their children’s four-year degree would cause considerable financial hardship.
In Alabama, the family laws changed recently, and noncustodial parents are no longer required to pay college expenses for children older than 19.
Whether you are interested in modifying an existing arrangement that required you to pay college costs or are wondering about your rights in a current child support case, an experienced lawyer can help. I am Daniel H. Chambers, Attorney at Law, P.C., and I provide the counsel families throughout Birmingham need in a range of family law matters.
In 1989, an Alabama Supreme Court decision required noncustodial parents to help pay college expenses for children 19 and older. However, in a recent ruling, the Supreme Court overturned that ruling.
One of the primary reasons to overturn the old decision was that Alabama’s child custody laws do not define the word “children.” Instead, it was left open to the discretion of judges and family law courts, or they applied the common law definition of “children,” which is a minor or someone younger than 19 years old.
If you are facing child support matters, it’s critical to work with a lawyer who understands Alabama’s current laws. When you contact my firm, I can help protect your financial rights in all family law matters. Contact me online or call 205-913-4057 to schedule an initial consultation.
We have used Daniel Chambers for legal services on several occasions since 2007 with excellent results. He has assisted our family in each matter with a professional yet tenacious manner. He has always been upfront about possible outcomes and honest about how to appropriately deal with challenging situations. I have recommended him several times over and will continue to do so. He has been an incredible asset to have on our legal team and we have always been satisfied with the results.
Melissa Childers
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