PMCW Law

Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, and Welch specializes in helping single parents get the money they are owed by the former spouse, in other words, child support. If you aren't getting your child support payments on time or you aren't receiving the full sum of money or if you have stopped receiving payments altogether, call our child support lawyers at the Lake of the Ozarks today at 573-346-7231 for your free consultation. Keep reading for the factors that can determine child support. Factors That Can Determine Child Support Income of the Custodial Parent The custodial parent is that parent that takes care of the child most of the time and has custody of the child a majority of the time. For example, if the mother stopped working to stay at home with the child, then the financial need could be substantial. Child's Needs The child's needs must be taken into consideration when determining how much child support is reasonable. Needs can include but are not li...

The holidays can be a season of joy, but it also can be a stressful financial time for single parents. You want to give your child the best Christmas possible, but if you are not receiving child support payments in a timely manner (or at all) during this time of year, you may be struggling to make the perfect Christmas a reality. Our experienced child support attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks are here to give you some advice if you are not receiving your child support payments. Possible Reasons for Delays in Child Support around the Holidays A couple of reasons as to why you may be experiencing delays in your child support around the holidays specifically, can include: • The parent paying child support quit or lost his job in the holiday season. If your co-parents wages were being garnished to cover your child support payments and all of a sudden you stop receiving payments, there’s a possibility that he or she either quit or lost his or her job. • Christmas Day ...

If you're like most parents facing divorce, securing sole or joint custody will be a top priority. Obtaining custody is only part of the battle.  O nce you have resolv ed custody of your children, you must deal with the financial part to support your children. In some cases, child support may be ordered to help cover the costs of raising children. Our Lake of the Ozarks family attorneys are here to help you get a general understanding of how child support orders work and how to determine how much support you are entitled to. How Does Child Support Work? Simply put, child support is a court-issued order designed to help distribute the cost of raising children between parents who are not together.  If one parent is awarded sole custo dy or a majority of the parenting time , that parent will li kely shoulder the financial burden of raising children on a day-to-day basis. In order to help offset these costs, the court may order the non-custodial parent to provide "chil...

When two parents are married and living in the same home, it goes without saying that they share the financial responsibilities of raising their children. If that couple gets divorced, however, the division of these financial responsibilities becomes more complicated. When a child spends the majority of his time at one parent's household, how can that parent be sure that the other is fulfilling his or her share the financial responsibilities? That's where child support comes in. The Concept Behind Child Support The custodial parent assumes responsibility for the majority of the daily expenses associated with raising children, such as the cost of: Food Clothing Living accommodations Daycare Medical bills Education Th e burden of these e xpenses can be alleviated by the non-custodial parent helps alleviate the burden of these expenses by giving money to the custodial parent. This payment is called "child support." Child support is a legal order, and ...

Divorce is a complicated, emotional process for every couple, but it is especially so for couples who have children. With their divorce comes decisions regarding which parent will have legal guardianship of the children, when and for how long the other parent will be able to spend time with the children, and how the parents will share the financial responsibility of having kids. Did you know that divorced couples are not the only ones who face these battles? Legally, children in Missouri are entitled to support from both of their parents, even if the parents were never married. If you are attempting to navigate the world of child support for yourself or your children, our trusted attorneys at the Lake of the Ozarks can help you. Here is some important information about child support, courtesy of the attorneys and paralegals at the Law Firm of Phillips, McElyea, Carpenter, & Welch, P.C. Child Support is about Equal Financial Responsibility Food, diapers, toys, and clo...