Case Consultation
(423) 888-3030
Child support is typically owed until a child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs last. However, there may also be changes in circumstances that affect a parent’s obligation to pay or receive support.
If you have questions about the duration of child support in Chattanooga, reach out to legal counsel in your area. At Yates & Wheland, our knowledgeable attorneys can advise you on payment schedules and represent your best interests in any legal proceedings.
One common example of when a lump sum payment would be appropriate involves child support arrears. For instance, say that child support has never been set in a case, and the court puts down a judgment against a parent for two years of child support arrears. If the parent is able, they may choose to pay that amount in a lump sum. However, many choose to pay child support in a monthly payment plan. An experienced Chattanooga attorney could advise on paying off child support arrears as a lump sum or in installments.
In most cases, a parent will pay child support monthly rather than in a lump sum. As a local child support attorney could explain, these payments are often made in accordance with the person’s pay schedule. If a person gets a paycheck twice a month, they might pay half of their child support on one day and the other half on the other payday. This could be adjusted for someone who is paid weekly or biweekly as well.
The only way that a parent may owe child support past the child’s high school graduation or 18th birthday is in the case of a disabled child. In specific circumstances, the duration of support payments may extend until the child turns 21 or 25. However, our attorneys rarely see cases involving prolonged payment schedules in Chattanooga. Usually, child support payments are owed for a defined duration of time.
Child support is only payable while a person is alive. However, if a person owes child support arrears at the time that they die, the person who was owed those arrears can file as a creditor in the parent’s estate. In this situation, child support may become a matter of estate. However, current support would cease at the time of the person’s passing.
It is not uncommon for parties to include details about life insurance in their parenting plan. For instance, a person may take out life insurance to secure child support payments until the child turns 18. In these instances, it is best for the surviving parent to consult a knowledgeable lawyer about the duration and payment schedule for child support payments.
Whether you are seeking financial support to raise your child, or you owe future payments or arrears, reach out to a skilled attorney to discuss your situation. It is important to adhere to all deadlines for child support payments, as a failure to pay could result in legal consequences. At Yates & Wheland, our lawyers can help you understand the duration of child support in Chattanooga and what factors may affect your timeline for payments. Call us today to set up a consultation.