Child Support

Montgomery County Child Support Lawyers

Experienced Legal Support for Child Support Cases in Montgomery County

Pennsylvania uses guidelines to determine the presumptive amount of child support. However, the guidelines permit “deviations” from the presumptive amount of support under certain circumstances and mandates, such as the children’s reasonable needs in high-income cases. An experienced attorney at Shemtob Draganosky Taylor Stein, PC can offer the guidance you seek in figuring out how these rules apply to your situation.

Whether you have questions about petitioning for child support or how much you might be expected to pay, contact Shemtob Draganosky Taylor Stein, PC online or at (215) 544-3974 today.

Understanding Pennsylvania Child Support Guidelines

The parent who cares for the child most of the time (the custodial parent) typically receives child support payments from the noncustodial parent. In cases of equal custody, the higher-earning spouse pays the lesser-earning spouse. Pennsylvania’s child support guidelines dictate the amount of support to be paid depending on both parents’ incomes and the number of children they are supporting.

To estimate the support amount based on Pennsylvania's child support guidelines, you will need the following information:

Both parents' gross incomes: This includes all sources of income for each parent.
Both parents’ tax statuses: Tax filings can affect the calculation of available resources.
Any spousal support or alimony paid or received: These payments can impact the overall calculation for child support.
Childcare expenses: Costs paid for necessary child care during employment or education.
Medical insurance premiums that cover the child: Health-related costs are factored in.
Any union dues or non-voluntary retirement contributions: Mandatory deductions may be considered during calculations.

For child support purposes, gross income includes salaries, wages, bonuses, and commissions, as well as income from pensions and retirement plans. Income for unemployed parents may include Social Security benefits or workers’ compensation. Income may also include veteran's benefits, interest on investments, and rent from real estate property. A court can also impute income for parents willfully unemployed, attributing to that parent an earning capacity, an amount that the parent could earn, based on their education and employment history.

If you are searching for a child support attorney Montgomery County families trust, it is crucial to have a legal advocate who is familiar with both the statewide guidelines and how local courts, like the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, interpret and apply these rules. Attorneys at Shemtob Draganosky Taylor Stein, PC, understand the nuances that can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case, especially when complex incomes, blended families, or special needs are involved. We can help you understand your obligations and rights so that you feel confident making informed decisions regarding your child's financial support.

Contact our experienced Montgomery County child support lawyer at (215) 544-3974 to schedule a consultation.

There are also many other factors that may be included in income calculations, such as certain “perks” that a company may be paying on behalf of the employee spouse. Even a W-2 wage earner may have company benefits. These benefits may be “add-backs” to income. If a company is paying expenses such as cell phone, car payment, car insurance, housing allowance, or entertainment and travel, all are potential add-backs to income, thereby increasing the amount of income available for support. When necessary, our firm uses forensic accountants to determine the most accurate income available for support.

We are skilled in knowing what to look for and what can be added to or subtracted from each party’s net income in support calculations. Our attorneys can determine the actual income or earning capacity to help you estimate the appropriate child support amount. For W-2 wage earners, determining income may be a relatively straightforward process. However, determining income can be a complicated process if the parties are not W-2 wage earners, particularly when one spouse owns a business. In such cases, there may be income that does not appear on a W-2 or on a tax return. Contact our lawyers at Shemtob Draganosky Taylor Stein, PC for a complete income and support analysis.

Navigating child support guidelines can be particularly challenging for self-employed parents or those with variable income sources. Seeking guidance from a child support lawyer Montgomery County residents rely on is invaluable, as a trusted attorney can review your unique circumstances and explore options that benefit your family's long-term stability. For example, you may need to consider the local rules and practices in Norristown, home to the Montgomery County Family Court, which can influence how income calculations are reviewed in court. Our team understands the importance of accurate documentation and comprehensive analysis to pursue a fair outcome in each child support case.

Contact Shemtob Draganosky Taylor Stein, PC today for a spousal support lawyer skilled in the negotiation and calculation of spousal support or APL. Call (215) 544-3974 or contact us online.

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Our FAQ

Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 215-544-3974 today!

I have to pay my ex-wife alimony for four more years. She is living with her boyfriend. Can I stop the alimony?

It depends on what your property settlement says. If you have a property settlement agreement that is silent on whether or not alimony terminates upon remarriage or cohabitation, then it may not. Usually, the property settlement agreement will address that and say if it’s modifiable or if it terminates upon remarriage or cohabitation. If you did not reach a property settlement agreement, but instead went to court, and a court issued an order requiring you to pay alimony, then it is modifiable and you can petition to end the alimony as a result of the cohabitation.
Can I move without a court order if we have joint custody and both live in Montgomery County?

Scenario:
My husband and I have joint legal custody and joint physical custody of our three children. We both live in Montgomery County. The children go to private school. Can I move without getting a court order?
Answer:
The question really is if it will interfere with his ability to have his custody. In other words, if the children are continuing in their same private school and the drive back and forth to school and to his house doesn’t change his ability to have custody, then you likely do not need court permission. However, if the distance between your new house and your old house would significantly impact his ability to spend his time with the children, then it may be considered a relocation. This is unlikely but is certainly something to consider.
My ex keeps taking me to court over minor parenting issues. Is there a way to stop the legal costs from adding up?

Scenario:
The father of my children and I can’t agree on anything. We can’t agree on the color of the sky. He has brought me back to court at least five times on minor issues, such as whether or not our daughter's “Blankey“ should go back-and-forth between households and whether or not I need to send diapers to his house. Is there anything I can do to stop the financial bleeding in this case?
Answer:
Pennsylvania has just recently reinstated parenting coordination. It became effective on March 1, 2019. You can request that the court assign a parenting coordinator to address these kinds of issues. They will make decisions quickly, and it is much more cost-effective. A parenting coordinator has to be an attorney who has practiced family law for at least five years or a psychologist with a minimum of a master’s degree. In addition, either the psychologist or the attorney has to have significant training in parenting coordination.

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Former Clients Say It Best

"Highly experienced, client-focused and efficient service"

I appreciated David Draganosky’s informed guidance and willingness to move forward diligently, which set the stage for a favorable resolution. Your firm’s reputation for highly experienced, client-focused and efficient service is well-deserved.

- Former Client
I was wary about my rights as a father with my children and concerned about having enough time with them during the week and for holidays and breaks from school. Your help in hammering out a very detailed and fair custody agreement was appreciated more tha

- Former Client
Lori Shemtob and her associates were the perfect choice. Lori has the perfect demeanor to defuse any volatile situation.

- Former Client
Cynthia’s practical knowledge of negotiation and the law helped me in a tense situation where my ex-husband did not want me to take the kids with me and then refused to pay any support.

- Former Client

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Adjusting Child Support Payments: Deviations and Modifications

Following the guideline calculation, the judge can choose to deviate above or below the presumptive amount, depending on the following factors:

a parent’s unusual needs and fixed obligations;
a parent’s other support obligations;
either parent’s household income;
the child's age;
the relative assets and liabilities of the parents;
medical expenses not covered by insurance;
the parent's or child's standard of living; and
other factors, including the best interests of the child.

Keep in mind that an order for child support may be modified. If either parent shows a material and substantial change in circumstances, such as obtaining new employment or becoming unemployed, they may petition for the court to modify the child support payments.

Understanding when and how to seek a modification can be confusing. If you need advice from a Montgomery County Child Support Attorney, it is best to work with someone who understands both Pennsylvania law and the specific expectations of the local family law judges. Our attorneys can help you prepare the necessary documents and advocate for your interests if circumstances change or you believe a deviation is justified due to a significant shift in income or family needs. Each family's situation is unique, and timely legal counsel can make a significant difference in the outcome of your petition.

At Shemtob Draganosky Taylor Stein, PC, we have the extensive experience necessary to handle your case. There are many overlapping issues to be determined at the time of divorce; child custody arrangements can be a factor in child support, and spousal support or APL is also a factor in determining child support because it is calculated before child support is determined, then added to the payee’s income and deducted from the payor’s income available for child support. We can analyze your situation to determine how you should proceed in your child support matter.

Call (215) 544-3974 or contact Shemtob Draganosky Taylor Stein, PC online to discuss your child support needs with our dedicated team.

If you are looking for a Montgomery County Child Support Lawyer who can address the interplay between support payments, custody arrangements, and spousal support, our attorneys focus on developing strategies tailored to your family's specific needs. We frequently represent clients before the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, ensuring all relevant factors are considered. With rapidly changing financial or family circumstances, having experienced legal representation can help you protect your rights and build a plan that safeguards your child’s future.

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We learn your story and we live it. Our team prides themselves on listening and learning every fine detail. More importantly, we remember those details in court and at the negotiation table. When you put your case in our hands, we provide you with the personal attention and commitment you and your case deserve.
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Our attorneys believe it is their duty to empower and educate people about their rights in divorce. Propelled by a responsibility to give back to the community, several divorce lawyers within the firm regularly speak and teach at civic groups and bar associations.
Reputable & Trusted Family Law Attorneys
Named as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer each year since 2006, the firm’s founder, Lori K. Shemtob, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) — an esteemed honor held by only 74 family law lawyers in all of Pennsylvania. She served as AAML’s President of the Pennsylvania Chapter from July 2016 through July 2017.
From Big Firm to Boutique Firm

Our story begins with a group of lawyers who came from big firms with a passion to create a better experience for our clients. Each lawyer's knowledge and experience contribute to innovative strategies in court and settlement negotiations. Our commitment to excellence takes our divorce and family law firm well beyond the ordinary.