This website is designed to provide only general information pertaining to family law matters in the state of Arizona. Nothing contained herein constitutes legal advice, nor is it intended to offer legal advice. Any information provided in this website shall not constitute legal advice nor establish any type of attorney client relationship. PERRY LAW FIRM, PLLC does not make any guarantee as to the accuracy or currency of any information contained herein or created through use of any link to another website contained in this website.

[CHILD SUPPORT]    [DIVORCE]     [GRANDPARENT RIGHTS]
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Arizona Child Support

• CALCULATING ARIZONA CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS
• DURATION OF CHILD SUPPORT
• CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS
• ENFORCING CHILD SUPPORT
• MODIFYING CHILD SUPPORT ORDERS

Calculating Arizona Child Support Payments

In Arizona, child support is calculated using a set of standard child support guidelines established by the state. The Arizona Child Support Guidelines are utilized to calculate child support in those instances when a child´s parents are divorced, legally separated, or unmarried. The guidelines seek to ensure that a fair and impartial share of each parent´s resources are attributed to the child.

The Arizona Child Support Guidelines calculate child support by considering such factors as: 1. The financial resources and needs of the child(ren). 2. The financial resources and needs of the custodial parent. 3. The standard of living the child(ren) would have enjoyed had the parents not separated. 4. The physical and emotional condition of the child(ren), and the child(ren)´s educational needs. 5. The financial resources and needs of the noncustodial parent. 6. Excessive or abnormal expenditures, destruction, concealment or fraudulent disposition of community, joint tenancy and other property held in common. 7. The duration of parenting time and payment of related expenses.

In Arizona, a non-custodial parent´s child support obligation is calculated using the monthly gross incomes of both parents with an offset for the amount of parenting time (visitation) each parent has with the child(ren). Additionally, a court order for child support will establish the responsibility for providing medical insurance on behalf of the child(ren). Lastly, the child support obligation allocates the costs for childcare and other such expenses to be paid for the benefit of the child(ren).

All figures utilized for calculating child support are typically verified by financial documentation. For example, income is typically established by examining past W2s and/or pay stubs.

The guideline child support amount is deemed appropriate by the Court unless either parent is able to show a reason for a deviation. The Court will not approve a deviation from the guideline amount unless a written finding is made, based on criteria approved by the Supreme Court, that an application of the guidelines would be inappropriate or unjust in a particular case.

Contact an Arizona attorney if you need assistance in calculating child support in Arizona, or if you wish to determine if a deviation from the Arizona Child Support Guidelines is appropriate in your case. PERRY LAW FIRM PLLC handles child support cases predominately in Maricopa County in such cities as Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Glendale, Queen Creek, Fountain Hills, Chandler, Paradise Valley, and other cities in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Duration of Child Support

In the state of Arizona, child support ordinarily terminates when a child reaches age 18. However, if a child turns 18 while the child is attending high school or attending a certified high school equivalency program, child support continues throughout the period in which the child is actually attending high school or the equivalency program, but only until the child reaches 19 years of age. Under very limited circumstances, the Court will order child support to continue past a child´s 19th birthday. Contact an Arizona attorney if you need assistance in determining when your child support obligation will terminate. Our experienced attorney, Sherynn Perry with PERRY LAW FIRM PLLC, will be happy to answer your questions. PERRY LAW FIRM PLLC is well known for providing excellent service throughout Maricopa County in such cities as Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Glendale, Queen Creek, Fountain Hills, Chandler, Paradise Valley, and other cities in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Child Support Payments

Arizona Child support payments are handled through the Arizona Support Payment Clearinghouse. This unit is Arizona´s centralized agency for collecting and disbursing child support payments. Child support payments are typically processed on the same business day on which they are received and disbursed the following business day. Office hours for the Support Payment Clearinghouse are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Clearinghouse has physical offices on 201 West Jefferson in Phoenix, 222 East Javelina Avenue in Mesa, and 14264 West Tierra Buena Lane in Surprise. If you have questions regarding making your child support payments, Sherynn Perry with PERRY LAW FIRM PLLC will be happy to assist you. Our office is centrally located and easy to reach from such cities as Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Glendale, Queen Creek, Fountain Hills, Paradise Valley, Chandler and other cities in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Enforcing Child Support

In Arizona if child support is not paid as ordered, the Court has the authority to hold a child support obligor in contempt for nonpayment. A few options for enforcing child support payments include, but are not limited to, income withholding (wage garnishment); new hire reporting; liens against real and personal property; unemployment and worker´s compensation insurance deductions; driver´s license suspension; passport denial; federal tax offsets; interception of lottery winnings; and credit bureau reporting. Contact an Arizona attorney if you wish to discuss your options regarding enforcement of an existing child support Order. Sherynn Perry with PERRY LAW FIRM PLLC will be happy to answer your questions.

Modifying Child Support Orders

In Arizona, either parent may modify an existing child support order, provided that certain criteria are met which justify the modification. The revised child support payment will be calculated utilizing the Arizona Child Support Guidelines. If you feel your child support payments should be modified, you need to contact an Arizona attorney. Sherynn Perry with PERRY LAW FIRM PLLC will be happy to discuss the process with you. PERRY LAW FIRM PLLC has extensive experience filing child support modifications throughout Maricopa County in such cities as Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Glendale, Queen Creek, Fountain Hills, Paradise Hills, Chandler, and other cities in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

As your attorney, we will always be available to answer any questions specific to your case. The above information is general in nature and nothing herein should be construed as legal advice. Please call our office at 480-491-5152 if you desire additional information or wish to consult privately with an attorney, or click here to contact us online.

[CHILD SUPPORT]    [DIVORCE]     [GRANDPARENT RIGHTS]
[MEDIATION]     [ORDER OF PROTECTION]