Oklahoma City Child Support Attorneys

Helping Solve Child Support Disputes in Oklahoma City

There are several important topics that need to be considered when you are going through a divorce, especially if there are any minor children in the family. The division of property, spousal support or alimony, child custody, visitation rights, and child support are all factors that typically need to be considered during a divorce. In many divorce cases, one parent will have custody and the other will have visitation rights and child support obligations. While it’s widely understood that children need financial support from both parents, determining the amount of child support that is required can be overwhelming. When minor children are involved, the main goal is to disrupt the children’s lives as little as possible. 

Fortunately, at the law firm of Self Legal Group, PLLC in Oklahoma City, our divorce attorneys are experienced in divorce cases and family law which includes calculating child support. We can guide you through the legal process and clarify the more confusing aspects of divorce such as child support calculations. 

If you are dealing with a child support dispute, turn to the Oklahoma City child support attorneys at Self Legal Group, PLLC to gain the skilled representation you deserve. Contact us today. 

Oklahoma Child Support Lawyers

Every child needs emotional and financial support from both of their parents. However, determining the amount of child support can seem like a daunting and difficult prospect for many parents.

At Self Legal Group in Oklahoma City, we can help you understand how child support works in Oklahoma. Our child support attorneys offer a compassionate and safe atmosphere for our clients, regardless of whether they are going through a divorce or seeking child support outside of marriage. We help parents through all types of family-related matters, including paternity actions and legal separations.

We have the legal knowledge and experience you need to feel confident in the decisions you make for your family. To talk to an Oklahoma child support lawyer, contact our family law firm.

You Deserve the Best Attorney in Oklahoma

You and your family deserve the best family law lawyer you can find to protect your interests and to help you navigate the Oklahoma civil and family courts. Our attorneys are simply the best. Among our ranks are a former Assistant Attorney General and recognized advocate for children’s rights, a former prosecutor who is an aggressive domestic rights advocate, business and property attorneys to protect your assets and estate law attorneys with more than 20 years of experience.

At Self Legal Group’s Family Law Center you will find a safe, comfortable, friendly atmosphere where your legal needs and concerns are our top priority. With our lawyers, our clients can feel at ease discussing sensitive legal issues. Our goals are to help you understand the legal process, determine your position from a legal standpoint, then chart the best course of action to help you reach your goals. Contact us today to schedule your Initial Phone Consultation.

How Child Support Is Calculated in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, child support is determined by looking at the child support guidelines. The guidelines act as a formula and allow courts to calculate the amount of child support by looking at the income of both parents.

Our child support lawyers work one-on-one with you to help you understand the guidelines and how they pertain to your case. We will give you an honest and complete assessment of your financial situation and we will fight to get you and your child the support necessary to move forward into the future.

State of Oklahoma Child Support Guidelines

The primary way that child support is calculated in Oklahoma is with the child support guidelines. Oklahoma has had child support guidelines since 1987. These guidelines determine the amount of support required from a parent based on their income level, the percentage of time spent with the child, and the child’s prior standard of living. The payment of child support is meant to maintain, provide for, and educate the child which is seen as each parent’s duty. Child support is determined by the court and enforced based on the belief that whenever possible, each parent should be responsible for supporting their children.  

How Do the Child Support Guidelines Work?

Child support is generally calculated using the child support guidelines mentioned above. These guidelines act as a sort of formula that allows the court to calculate child support based on each parent’s income and percentage of time spent caring for the child. 

The first step is calculating each parent’s gross income, and the combined incomes equal the gross family income. Gross income is calculated in a few different ways including the monthly income, the average monthly income during the previous three years, and the minimum wage for a forty-hour workweek. If a parent is unemployed or makes less than minimum wage, their child support will still be calculated based on minimum wage.

Base child support is calculated using the Oklahoma Child Support Guideline Schedule. Once the gross monthly income is calculated, it is determined what percentage each parent contributes to the gross family income, what the total monthly obligation to each child is, and what percentage each parent should contribute to the base monthly obligation. 

Child Support and Medical Insurance

The cost of your child’s medical and dental insurance is also factored into the monthly child support obligation. Each parent is responsible for medical and dental insurance premiums in proportion to their adjusted gross family income. Your divorce lawyer can help you determine what this calculation will look like in your case.

Child Support Based on Custody

While the Oklahoma Child Support Guideline Schedule provides a way for the base child support obligation to be calculated, some other factors can come into play. This child support guideline is based on the standard visitation schedule for non-custodial parents. However, if each parent has physical custody of the child for more than 120 nights per year, this is considered shared parenting. Similarly, child support payments are calculated differently when split custody is a factor. A different calculation is used, factoring in the assumption that additional support is being provided with increased custody. 

Minimum Wage and Child Support

In Oklahoma, the minimum wage is the baseline income for parents under the child support guidelines. This means that if one parent makes less than minimum wage, even if they are unemployed, they will be treated as making minimum wage (currently, $1,256 per month) for child support purposes.

Modifications and Enforcements

Child support orders can be modified when there has been a permanent, material and continuing change in circumstances. Our child support attorneys can help you modify an existing order and help you and your child secure the support you need.

We can also help you enforce an order. If your ex-spouse has not been paying child support, we will bring a contempt action. We can also pursue wage garnishment through Oklahoma’s Child Support Enforcement Offices.

Other Areas of Family Law We Can Assist

• Child Custody
• Child Adoption
• Divorce
• Alimony
• And More

Contact an Oklahoma Child Support Lawyer Today

Fighting for child support can be overwhelming and difficult for any parent. Contact our Oklahoma attorneys today and together we will work toward a solution. We offer an Initial Phone Consultation and reasonable fees. Credit cards are also accepted.
To learn more about Oklahoma family law, visit our Family Law Information Center and FAQ page. 

Don't go through a child support dispute alone. Contact the Oklahoma City child support lawyers at Self Legal Group today.