Divorces often involve many complex issues, such as property division and alimony. The involvement of minor children generally introduces further complications.
As a parent, your major concern is naturally the custody and care of your offspring. There are many untruths about child custody and child support. It is important to discern the truth and not allow these myths to mislead you.
1. Arizona is a mother’s state
One commonly perpetuated idea is that the state favors the mother over the favor in custody cases. In reality, it considers both the mother and the father on equal footing. Parenting time, or visitation, is determined based on the best interests of your children, which is in turn based on a multitude of factors including your work, criminal and personal history, employment prospects, location and financial stability.
2. Your Child Support Obligation Ends Once Your Child Turns 18
You may think that you are done with making payments once your children reach legal adulthood, but it’s a little more complicated than that. If your kids are still in high school, you will have to continue paying support until they reach 19 or graduate. Any back child support you owe can still be collected as well.
3. Refusal To Pay Support Is an Option
Many people stop paying support for a number of reasons, from feeling the amount is unreasonable to not wanting to. Some mistakenly believe that if they choose not to see their children or are denied the right to do so by the other parent they can legally refuse to pay. This is not true. The child support order holds unless you contact your family attorney AZ and get it modified.
Courts follow set guidelines when creating child support and custody agreements. These orders are legally binding and cannot be flouted without consequences of some sort or an adjustment in court.