Child support is a crucial aspect of family law that aims to ensure the financial stability and well-being of children whose parents are no longer together. In Maricopa County, Arizona, child support is governed by state laws and guidelines that dictate the amount and duration of support payments. However, there may come a time when the need for child support ends, and the process for terminating it can be confusing and overwhelming for many parents.
The Importance of Child Support in Maricopa County, AZ
Before delving into the process of terminating child support in Maricopa County, it is essential to understand why it is necessary in the first place. Child support is a legal obligation that parents have to provide financial assistance for their children's basic needs, such as food, shelter, clothing, and education.It is meant to ensure that children are not financially disadvantaged due to their parents' separation or divorce. In Maricopa County, child support is calculated based on the Arizona Child Support Guidelines, which take into account various factors such as each parent's income, number of children, and parenting time. The court may also consider other expenses such as healthcare and childcare costs when determining the amount of child support.
The Process for Terminating Child Support in Maricopa County
In most cases, child support payments continue until the child reaches the age of 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes later. However, there are certain circumstances where child support may end earlier or need to be terminated by one of the parents. Some common reasons for terminating child support in Maricopa County include:- The child turns 18 and is no longer attending high school
- The child gets married
- The child joins the military
- The child becomes self-supporting
- The child is adopted by someone else
- The parent paying child support becomes disabled or incarcerated
The motion must include a valid reason for terminating child support and any supporting evidence, such as a copy of the child's high school diploma or military enlistment papers. Once the motion is filed, the other parent will be served with a copy of the motion and given an opportunity to respond. If both parents agree to terminate child support, they can submit a written agreement to the court for approval. However, if there is a disagreement, a hearing may be scheduled where both parties can present their arguments and evidence.
Modifying Child Support in Maricopa County
In some cases, the need for child support may not completely end, but there may be a change in circumstances that warrants a modification of the support order. For example, if the parent receiving child support remarries and has additional income, or if the parent paying support loses their job or experiences a significant decrease in income. In Maricopa County, either parent can file a petition with the court to modify the existing child support order.The petition must include a valid reason for the modification and any supporting evidence. The court will then review the petition and make a decision based on the best interests of the child.
Enforcing Child Support Orders in Maricopa County
Unfortunately, not all parents comply with their child support obligations, which can cause financial strain for the custodial parent and their children. In such cases, it may be necessary to enforce the child support order through legal means. In Maricopa County, the Department of Economic Security (DES) is responsible for enforcing child support orders. DES has various tools at its disposal to collect child support payments, including wage garnishment, tax refund intercepts, and suspension of driver's licenses or professional licenses.In extreme cases, a parent who fails to pay child support may face jail time.
