DeSoto County Child Support & Custody Attorney
Securing Agreements That Support Your Child’s Best Interests
All parents want the best for their children. Divorces can throw a wrench in their plans and place considerable strain on both parents and children. At Heidi S. Milam, Attorney at Law, PLLC, we care about your children too. As a team with a strong background in family law, we emphasize achieving our client's goals and taking care of their children. From divorce to paternity proceedings and adoption, we do it all. But child custody is where our efforts are most often deployed. We want to help you secure custody of your children, negotiate fair visitation rights with the custodial parent, and draft support arrangements that ensure your children are well taken care of. Our child custody lawyer in DeSoto County also handles proposed child relocations, custody agreement modifications, and more.
Call (662) 855-0027 today to schedule a free initial consultation. Our firm is committed to ensuring that your child’s needs are fully met.
Understanding the Child Support Calculation Process
Navigating child support can be complex, and understanding how calculations are made is crucial for both parents. In Mississippi, child support is determined based on a variety of factors, including each parent's income, the needs of the child, and the time spent with each parent. At Heidi Milam Law Firm, we believe that knowledge is power, and we’re here to guide you through every step of the process.
Here’s what you need to know about child support calculations:
- Income Assessment: Both parents' incomes are evaluated to determine financial responsibilities.
- Child’s Needs: Factors such as healthcare, education, and extracurricular activities are taken into account.
- Time Sharing: The amount of time each parent spends with the child can influence support amounts.
- Adjustments: Special circumstances, like medical expenses or disabilities, may lead to adjustments in support obligations.
Understanding these factors can empower you to advocate effectively for your child’s best interests. Our experienced team at Heidi Milam is committed to ensuring that you fully comprehend the child support process, helping you to achieve fair and just outcomes for your family.
Negotiated Child Custody Settlements for Happy Families In Desoto County
Heidi S. Milam reviews her clients’ situations and discusses their options based on their circumstances. No two custody situations are the same. In many cases, a custody arrangement occurs through a negotiated solution between both parties. These situations are always preferred over a protracted and contentious court battle. Custody involves more than who the child lives with. It also includes an agreement regarding the child’s education, religion, and upbringing. Usually, one parent gains primary custody while the other gets regular visitation rights. We believe a negotiated settlement is best for the parents and the children and results in the fairest outcome for all parties. Unfortunately, they aren’t always possible.
We Help Secure Child Custody During Contentious Battles In Desoto County
In cases where neither party can agree on a negotiated arrangement, child custody heads to the courts. In this case, a judge will decide where the child lives based on what they see as the “best interests of the child.” And while this might seem out of your hands, it is not. Heidi S. Milam, Attorney at Law, PLLC will represent your interests in court to try to win custody over your child through litigation. While it isn’t the preferred method, we can handle the challenge when it is required.
How Can An Attorney Help You With Child Support In Desoto County, MS?
Having an experienced child custody lawyer by your side is critical for helping to ensure that you have all of the resources and guidance that you need to effectively set up or modify child support.
A child support attorney can help you in the following ways:
- Legal Advice: Your attorney will guide you through each step of the legal process associated with child support, and will ensure that you have important legal information available to you regarding your parental rights.
- Estimation & Modification: Your lawyer will help you estimate and/or modify child support, taking into account all factors that need to be accounted for.
- Answers: Having questions is understandable, and your child support attorney will be able to help navigate any confusion you may have by providing you with answers and added clarity.
- Evidence: Your attorney will be responsible for collecting and putting together strong evidence to support your case.
- Representation: You can rest assured that you will be represented by a lawyer who is experienced and reputable when it comes to child support as well as other family matters.
Contact our attorneys in Desoto, MS County today, and let us help you with child support and child custody matters.
FAQ: DeSoto County Child Support & Custody Attorney
1. What factors are considered in determining child support in DeSoto County?
Child support in DeSoto County is calculated based on several key factors, including both parents' income, the child’s needs (such as healthcare, education, and extracurricular activities), and the amount of time each parent spends with the child. Additionally, special circumstances, such as a child’s medical needs or disabilities, may result in adjustments to the child support amount.
2. Can I modify my child custody arrangement?
Yes, child custody arrangements can be modified if there is a significant change in circumstances. For example, if a parent moves, faces a major health issue, or there are concerns regarding the child’s well-being, a modification might be necessary. Your child custody lawyer can help guide you through the process of filing for a custody modification in DeSoto County.
3. What is the difference between legal and physical custody?
Legal custody refers to the right to make important decisions about a child’s upbringing, such as decisions related to education, healthcare, and religious practices. Physical custody refers to where the child lives and the amount of time they spend with each parent. A parent may have sole or joint legal or physical custody, depending on the circumstances of the case.
4. How do I know if I am entitled to child support?
If you are the custodial parent and your child spends more than 50% of the time with you, you are typically entitled to child support from the noncustodial parent. In some cases, even if the child spends equal time with both parents, one may still be required to provide financial support based on their income and the child’s needs.
5. What happens if the noncustodial parent doesn’t pay child support?
If the noncustodial parent fails to pay child support, several legal actions can be taken. These may include wage garnishment, property liens, suspension of driver's or professional licenses, or even jail time in extreme cases. Our child custody lawyer can help you pursue enforcement actions to ensure your child support payments are made.
6. Can I get child support if the other parent is not working?
Yes, even if the noncustodial parent is unemployed or underemployed, they may still be required to pay child support. The court may consider their earning potential, which includes any prior employment history, education, and ability to earn an income. An experienced attorney can help you understand how to proceed in these situations.
7. Do I need an attorney to modify child support or custody?
While it is possible to modify child support or custody without an attorney, having legal representation ensures that your rights are protected and that you have the best chance of a favorable outcome. A child custody lawyer can assist with the paperwork, gather evidence, and represent your interests in court if necessary.
We Fight for Child Custody
Finally, we secure child support payments for custodial parents. These payments depend on a variety of factors, including the income of the noncustodial parent and statutory guidelines presented by the State of Mississippi. In addition to the initial agreement, our legal specialists can go to court to win a modification of the original order if the noncustodial parent has increased their income. We offer free consultations.
Don’t allow your rights to slip away. Contact our DeSoto County child custody attorney at (662) 855-0027 today to begin.