Child Support
Income Shares, Health Insurance, and Education. We make sure child support is calculated right to protect your child’s life.
Protecting Your Child’s Standard of Living in Arizona
Most parents worry a lot about child support. If you are the one paying, you might worry that bad math will leave you broke. If you are the one receiving, you worry if the money will actually cover groceries, doctors, and school stuff. Arizona uses a specific formula to pick these amounts. But that formula only works if you put the right information into it.
At Modern Law, we know that money and stress usually go together. We focus on the big change that happens when you turn one home into two. We make sure your new budget stays steady. We don’t act like aggressive lawyers. Instead, we use a plan that is honest and simple to help you find peace.
We help parents all over the state, from Phoenix and Mesa to Tucson, Gilbert, and everywhere else.
How the Court Finds Your Arizona Child Support Amount
Child support in Arizona is not just a random number. The court has a plan to make sure the amount is fair for the kids. Here are the three main things the judge looks at to find that number.
The Income Shares Model
Arizona uses a plan called the “Income Shares Model.” The judge looks at all the money both parents make and puts it into one big pool. The goal is for your child to get the same support they would have if you still lived together. This keeps things fair for everyone. The parent who earns more pay pays a larger share. For high earners, the rules usually stop once you make over $30,000 a month together.
Parenting Time Credits
The amount of time your child spends at your house changes the math. The court gives you a “credit” for every night your child sleeps over. They know you are spending money on food and lights while they are there. Having 50/50 custody does not always mean zero support. But having a clear parenting time schedule helps the court fix the payment so you don’t pay twice for the same things.
Extra Costs and Daily Life
The court also looks at other costs. This includes things like health insurance and daycare. They even add a 10% increase once a child turns 12 because teenagers cost more to raise. We also help decide who gets the tax benefits. We make sure the order stays in place until the child turns 18 or finishes high school.
Our Additional Family Law Services
Supporting Arizona families with clear guidance, dependable communication, and a commitment to making every step of the legal process feel manageable.
Divorce is hard enough without added financial confusion. Modern Law guides Arizona residents through every step, making sure your assets are protected and your future is secure.
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If your Arizona family court ruling or child support calculation felt legally flawed or unfair, you may be able to appeal. Modern Law reviews your case and fights to correct the record.
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Securing your child’s routine is as important as securing their support. We help you navigate legal decision-making and parenting time to create a stable environment for your kids.
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Want clarity on finances before or during marriage? Modern Law drafts prenuptial and postnuptial agreements that protect your interests and prevent future conflict.
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If your child’s safety is at risk, or you are facing false allegations that impact your support and custody rights, we move fast to protect your safety and your family.
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From formalizing paternity to navigating the adoption process, we help Arizona families through sensitive cases with a focus on the child’s long-term wellbeing.
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When Fairness and Accuracy Are the Priority
When fairness and accuracy are the priority, a simple paystub is often not enough. This is especially true for business owners or parents who work for themselves. We help find the true income for people who are self-employed to make sure the payments are fair. We also offer emergency support to help you get money quickly if the other parent stops paying. Finally, we use the court to enforce the rules. We can do this by taking tax refunds or even suspending licenses to collect the money you are owed.
Why Modern Law is the Right Choice for Your Family
- We put kids first: We don't fight just to fight. We build arguments that judges respect because they focus on what the kids actually need.
- We make it simple: The rules are thick and confusing. We break them down into plain English so you know exactly how they hit your wallet.
- We fit your budget: Not everyone needs a huge legal team. We offer legal coaching and simple document help to save you money.
- We are 100% digital: Our firm is built for the modern world. We can handle your whole case online to save you time and travel stress.
- We see the big picture: Most firms just look at the check. Since we also do estate planning, we make sure your kids stay protected for the long run.
Our Process: Direct and Stress-Free
01
Consultation
02
Build Your Strategy
03
File and Negotiate
04
Court Representation
If you have to go to a hearing, we show up ready. We bring the right math and evidence to speak up for you.
05
Final Court Order
Updating Your Arizona Child Support Amount
Life changes and your court papers can too. If your old order does not fit your new job or your current pay, you do not have to just deal with it. In Arizona, you can ask a judge to update your plan if things change in a big way. Usually, that means a 15% change in the monthly amount. We help you fix those old papers so they work for the life you are living right now.
Securing Your Child's Future with an Official Support Order
Many parents rely on informal deals for money until something goes wrong. By then, it is often too late to stop a big money problem that hurts your housing or your kids’ hobbies. Whether you are separating now or fixing an old order from years ago, a formal court order is your only real safety net.
A court order takes the guesswork out of monthly bills and school fees. It stops the monthly arguing between parents. It gives your children the steady life they need to do well in both homes. This legal paper makes sure everyone is doing their fair share and protects your child’s quality of life.
Connect With an Arizona Support Team That Understands
You don’t have to deal with the hard math and the stress of a child support case alone. Our team is here to listen to your money worries and help you protect your child’s life. You don’t need a perfect budget or fancy spreadsheets before you call us. You just need to want what is best for your family. Reach out today to see how we can help you build a more stable future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. Even with equal time, if one parent makes a lot more money, they might still pay to keep the child’s life the same in both houses.
This is tricky. The court looks at business money minus necessary costs. We make sure the real income is used for the math.
In Arizona, the court usually wants to see a change that would move the payment by at least 15% before they will change an old order.
No. Visits and money are two different legal things. If you stop visits, you could get in trouble with the judge. You have to use the court to get the money.
Usually until the child turns 18. If they are still in high school, it goes until they graduate or turn 19.
If a parent is choosing not to work, the court can “assign” them an income based on what they could be making.
The parent who pays for insurance gets a credit. Extra stuff like sports or medical bills is usually split based on how much each parent earns.
The standard table stops at a combined $30,000 a month. If you make more, the amount doesn’t go up automatically unless you prove the child needs it.
Most orders send money through a “Clearinghouse.” This creates a legal record so nobody can argue about whether a payment was made.
A new spouse’s money isn’t counted. But if the parent has new kids from that marriage, it might be used to change the calculation.