Family Law Services
Child Support Lawyer
in Mesa, Arizona
Unsure about child support obligations in your Arizona divorce? Brown Family Law makes the process straightforward. Our experienced attorneys can help you establish a fair and accurate child support arrangement, tailored to Arizona guidelines and your family’s unique circumstances.
Call Brown Family Law For A Divorce Consultation: 480-882-0767

Securing Financial Support for Your Children
Every parent has a duty to financially support their children. Typically, the noncustodial parent provides child support payments to the custodial parent. The amount of support is influenced by several factors, including:
- The child support agreement established during the divorce
- The number of overnight stays each parent has with the children
- The gross monthly income of each parent
Gross monthly income encompasses all income sources, such as wages, investments, unemployment benefits, and workers’ compensation. Any income you receive contributes to your gross monthly income.
Our Arizona child support attorneys can help you calculate the amount you may need to pay or receive, depending on your custody arrangement, by using the Arizona child support calculator to factor in the gross monthly incomes of both you and your spouse.
Once this amount is established, it must be paid monthly until your children either turn 18 or graduate from high school, whichever occurs later. If you need to adjust this amount, you must petition for a modification of the divorce decree. The courts will only grant a modification if there has been a significant change in circumstances, such as:
- Job loss or gain
- Remarriage of one parent
- The birth of another child to one parent
Arizona Child Support Enforcement Attorneys
If your former spouse is failing to make child support payments, you cannot withhold their visitation rights, also known as parent-time. However, you can take legal action to recover the unpaid child support. At Brown Family Law, our attorneys are committed to pursuing back child support.
We understand that you want the best for your children and yourself, and we are here to help you achieve that goal.
Frequently Asked Questions – Child Support
1. How is child support determined in Arizona?
Arizona follows an Income Shares Model to calculate child support, which takes into account both parents’ incomes, the number of children, healthcare costs, educational expenses, and the amount of time each parent spends with the child.
2. Can child support orders be modified?
Yes, either parent can request a modification of a child support order if there has been a significant and lasting change in circumstances. Common reasons for modification include a change in income, employment status, or child custody arrangements.
3. How long does child support last in Arizona?
In most cases, child support continues until the child turns 18. However, if the child is still in high school or a certified equivalency program, support may continue until they graduate or turn 19, whichever comes first.
4. What happens if a parent doesn’t pay child support?
If a parent fails to make court-ordered child support payments, enforcement actions can be taken. These may include wage garnishment, tax refund interception, suspension of driver’s or professional licenses, and legal penalties such as contempt of court.
5. Does child support cover expenses beyond basic needs?
Yes, child support is meant to cover more than just food, shelter, and clothing. It can also include healthcare, education costs, extracurricular activities, and other necessary expenses for the child’s well-being.