Mr. David White and his team helped me navigate an extremely frustrating, complex, and protracted family law situation. Mr. White is truly the "real deal" - an expert at family law who, along with his team, will advocate fiercely for their client's best interest. The team in his office are a pleasure to work with, and each of them was a big help in resolving my case with a fair and reasonable outcome for both parties.
Advocating for Fair and Effective Support Orders
At the Law Offices of David D. White, we understand that child support isn’t just a legal obligation; it’s a vital part of ensuring your child’s well-being and stability. Whether you’re seeking support, paying support, or need to modify an existing order, our Arizona child support lawyers are here to protect your financial rights while keeping your child’s best interests at the forefront.
Why is Child Support Ordered?
In Arizona, child support exists to ensure children receive the financial support they need, regardless of whether their parents live together. It’s designed to provide for a child’s basic needs-like housing, food, education, and healthcare, to maintain their standard of living as if both parents were still in the same household.
What is Used to Calculate Child Support in Arizona?
Arizona uses standardized Child Support Guidelines to determine payment amounts. These guidelines are based on several key factors:
- Income of Both Parents – The court looks at the gross monthly income of both parents from all sources: wages, bonuses, rental income, self-employment, etc.
- Parenting Time (Visitation) – The amount of parenting time each parent has with the child directly impacts the amount of support. More time often means less financial contribution.
- Other Children or Support Obligations – If a parent pays court-ordered child support for children from other relationships, those amounts may reduce their income for calculation purposes. Even without a court order, credits may apply if a parent shares equal time with a non-common child.
- Older Child Adjustment – Arizona allows a 10% increase in child support for any child aged 12 or older, recognizing the increased cost of raising older children.
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance – The parent providing insurance may receive a credit for the child’s share of the premium. Incorrect entries here are a common mistake, so it’s best to have an attorney review this calculation.
- Childcare and Daycare Costs – If childcare is necessary (for example, due to a parent’s work schedule), the paying parent may receive a credit based on the average monthly cost
- Extraordinary Expenses – Credits may be allowed for special needs or gifted children who require additional care or services.
Modifying Child Support Orders
Life can change unexpectedly. If you’ve lost a job, received a promotion, or experienced a major shift in custody or medical expenses, you may be eligible to modify your child support order. Under Arizona law, a modification can be requested if there is a substantial and continuing change in circumstances. This might include:
- Job loss or significant change in income
- New medical or educational expenses
- A change in the child’s primary residence or parenting time
- Birth of additional children
At the Law Offices of David D. White, we help clients throughout Arizona file for modifications and ensure all necessary financial documentation is properly presented to the court. We can also help enforce your rights if your co-parent is seeking an unfair or unnecessary change to your existing order.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but you may be eligible to reduce your payments through a modification. You must act quickly to request a change before unpaid balances accumulate.
Parents can propose a different amount if it’s in the best interest of the child, but the court must approve the agreement.
Yes. The number of overnights a child spends with each parent can influence the support amount. The more time you spend with your child, the more your direct expenses are considered.
Generally, Arizona law does not require child support to cover college costs unless both parents agree to it in writing. However, certain education-related expenses for minors may be factored into the support order.
While parents can reach an agreement regarding child support, the court must approve any waiver or deviation from the Arizona Child Support Guidelines. Judges will only approve such agreements if they believe the waiver is in the best interest of the child. Even if both parents agree, the court may still impose a minimum support obligation to protect the child’s needs.
If a parent fails to pay child support, the court may enforce the order through wage garnishment, license suspension, tax refund interception, or contempt proceedings. Arizona takes nonpayment seriously, and past-due support can also accrue interest. Our firm can help you initiate enforcement actions to recover the support your child is owed.
Yes, Arizona law allows parents to request retroactive child support for up to three years before the date of filing if no prior support order exists. This typically applies in cases where paternity was recently established or support was never formally ordered. Our team can assist you in filing the appropriate documents to recover back support.Can I request retroactive child support in Arizona?
Yes, Arizona law allows parents to request retroactive child support for up to three years before the date of filing if no prior support order exists. This typically applies in cases where paternity was recently established or support was never formally ordered. Our team can assist you in filing the appropriate documents to recover back support.