How Divorce Attorneys Help With Child Support Issues

 Posted on April 10, 2025 in Family Law

If you have minor children with your spouse and you get a divorce, child support will be an essential part of the divorce process. Illinois law requires that both parents support their children financially, and an Illinois divorce attorney with a strong success record can help you create a fair child support agreement with your ex-partner.

What are Illinois Child Support Requirements? 

Child support requirements are codified in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. The requirements are based on an ‘income shares’ model. This means that child support is determined by considering the incomes of both parents with the intent to provide the child with the same financial support the child would have had if the parents were still together.

Do I Need an Attorney to Figure Out Child Support?

Child support negotiations can become heated in a contested divorce. An experienced Illinois divorce lawyer can be a tremendous asset in determining the monthly child support obligation. Several ways your divorce attorney can assist with the child support order are: 

Explaining Legal Requirements

A divorce attorney will help you understand how child support is calculated using each parent’s net income. They will also explain how child support is affected by the number of children from the marriage and the parenting time percentage each parent has.

Collecting Financial Documentation

Divorce attorneys help gather and organize important financial documents. They can also assist with obtaining tax returns, pay stubs, expense records, bank and investment account statements, etc. Collecting all necessary financial paperwork ensures that the child support payment is based on accurate data.

Negotiating the Child Support Agreement

Your divorce attorney will advocate for a child support arrangement that is fair to you while providing for the child’s needs. They can help secure a child support obligation that reflects your financial situation, whether you are paying or receiving child support.

Filing Family Court Documents

A divorce can become so complicated that reaching a child support agreement with the other parent is impossible. In this case, a divorce attorney will prepare and file a petition with the family court to establish the child support obligation. They will ensure that all needed paperwork is filed on a timely basis.

Overseeing Child Support Modifications

Change is a certainty in life, and child support obligations can change, too. If you or your ex-spouse has an increase or decrease in income, modifying the child support agreement may be needed. Your divorce lawyer can file the modification petition with the court, argue that a ‘substantial change in circumstances’ has occurred, and the agreement should be modified.

Enforcing Child Support Orders

Is your ex-spouse reneging on their child support obligations? Your attorney can initiate enforcement actions, such as contempt of court proceedings or wage garnishment.

Speak to a Naperville, IL Child Support Attorney Now

An experienced Bloomingdale, IL divorce lawyer from Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices can leverage their vast knowledge of divorce law to streamline the child support agreement process in your case. Our deep involvement ensures that your child support agreement supports your child’s best interests. Please contact our law firm for a free consultation at 630-932-9100.