New Hampshire and Massachusetts both agree that parents have an obligation to provide for their children and in the event of a divorce, or in an unwed family situation, there must be support from both parents.
Child support is payment made from one parent to the other, or the child’s legal guardian, on a weekly or monthly schedule to help with the costs of raising the child. To obtain child support in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, the court has to issue a child support order after notice is provided to each of the parents. Child Support Guidelines are then used to establish the appropriate amount of child support paid by one parent to the other after taking into consideration each parties’ gross income, any order support for other children, self-employment and/or state income taxes paid, mandatory retirement contributions, allowable child care expenses and medical support for the child.
The parent who pays child support is often referred to as the obligor and the parent who receives child support is the obligee. While the Child Support Guidelines establish the appropriate amount of child support pursuant to a formula, the amount of child support may change if the parents agree to a support order different from the guideline amount or if a court determines there are special circumstances to warrant a deviation or adjustment. Special circumstances include the following:
If one parent does not pay his or her child support, the Bureau of Child Support Services (BCSS) in New Hampshire, or the Child Support Enforcement Division (CSE) in Massachusetts, can help families enforce support orders. In addition, the court may enforce those defaulted payments by:
Smith-Weiss Shepard Kanakis & Spony, P.C. will work with you to resolve your child support issues expeditiously so that both parents rights are protected.
Located on Factory Street in downtown Nashua, New Hampshire for over 45 years, Smith-Weiss Shepard Kanakis & Spony, P.C. offers nearly 100 years of combined legal experience. Our experience and practical advice inside and outside of the courtroom will guide you and allow you to achieve results for all of your legal matters. Our attorneys practice law in the states of New Hampshire and Massachusetts and before the United States District Court for New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Call us today at 603-883-1571 for a free initial consultation.
47 Factory Street
Nashua, NH 03060
603-883-1571