Categories
Family Law

Understanding Alimony and Spousal Support: A Comprehensive Guide

Alimony and spousal support, often used interchangeably, refer to the financial assistance provided by one spouse to another after a divorce or separation. While the concept has ancient roots, modern alimony laws aim to address financial disparities between spouses resulting from the dissolution of marriage. This article delves into the intricacies of alimony and spousal support, exploring its purpose, types, factors affecting eligibility, and recent trends.

Purpose of Alimony: Alimony serves various purposes, primarily focusing on ensuring financial fairness and stability post-divorce. Its key objectives include:

Economic Fairness: Alimony aims to prevent unfair economic consequences for spouses who have sacrificed their career or education for the benefit of the marriage or family.

Maintaining Standard of Living: It seeks to enable the lower-earning spouse to maintain a standard of living similar to that experienced during the marriage.

Rehabilitative Support: In cases where one spouse requires time and resources to acquire skills or education to become self-sufficient, alimony may be granted temporarily to facilitate this process.

Types of Alimony:

Alimony arrangements vary based on the circumstances of the divorce and the needs of the parties involved. Common types of alimony include:

Temporary Alimony: Also known as pendente lite support, it is awarded during the divorce proceedings to maintain financial stability until a final settlement is reached.

Rehabilitative Alimony: Intended to support the recipient spouse while they pursue education or training to become self-sufficient.

Permanent Alimony: Granted when one spouse is unlikely to become financially independent due to factors such as age, health, or long-term caregiving responsibilities.

Reimbursement Alimony: Compensates a spouse who supported the other through education or career advancement that benefited the marriage but did not directly lead to increased earning capacity.

Factors Affecting Alimony Eligibility:

Courts consider several factors when determining alimony awards.

Duration of Marriage: Longer marriages often result in higher alimony awards, as there is typically a greater financial interdependence between spouses.

Income Disparity: Discrepancies in income between spouses can influence alimony decisions, with the higher-earning spouse often being responsible for support.

Contributions to the Marriage: Courts assess each spouse’s contributions to the marriage, including financial support, homemaking, childcare, and career sacrifices.

Standard of Living: The lifestyle enjoyed during the marriage may factor into the determination of alimony to ensure that both parties can maintain a similar standard of living post-divorce.

Financial Needs and Obligations: Consideration is given to each spouse’s financial needs, including expenses related to housing, healthcare, and education, as well as any existing debts or obligations.

Recent Trends and Legal Reforms:

In recent years, there has been a shift in alimony laws and practices, reflecting changing societal norms and economic dynamics. Some notable trends include:

Gender Neutrality: Courts increasingly apply alimony laws without bias based on the gender of the spouses, recognizing that both men and women may be entitled to or obligated to pay alimony.

Limitations on Permanent Alimony: Many states have enacted laws limiting or eliminating permanent alimony in favor of shorter-term or rehabilitative support arrangements, aiming to promote self-sufficiency and reduce the financial burden on the paying spouse.

Modification and Termination: Alimony orders are subject to modification or termination based on changes in circumstances, such as remarriage, cohabitation, or significant changes in income.

Alimony and spousal support play a crucial role in ensuring financial fairness and stability for divorcing spouses, said alimony and spousal attorney in St. Petersburg. While the laws and practices surrounding alimony continue to evolve, the fundamental goal remains the same: to mitigate the economic impact of divorce and facilitate the transition to independent financial futures. Understanding the nuances of alimony can empower individuals navigating the complexities of divorce to make informed decisions and achieve equitable outcomes.

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Tax Law

Tips on How to Choose the Best Tax Defense Lawyer

Tax Defense is a special division in taxation practice, exclusively of attorneys practicing in this field. Tax fraud is the federal offense involving the unpaid or under-payment of taxes. It is a crime that is punishable with heavy penalties and/or jail terms. Tax fraud can affect any person, company or institution and thus it is important that you look out for the signs and act quickly upon any such activities.

Tax defense lawyers are primarily concerned with issues arising under the Internal Revenue Code, as well as under state tax law. Federal tax law covers most issues regarding the taxation of individuals and companies, while state tax law covers aspects of taxation of corporations and other entity such as partnerships and limited liability partnerships. The states also have additional rules and regulations related to state tax fraud. The major federal tax laws are the Internal Revenue Code, and the Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to income taxes.

Tax fraud can include many methods. The most common methods include: employer identification (also called an “innocent spouse” defense, which refers to a spouse who withholds income and pays the payroll taxes), under-reporting deductions (which may include self-employment tax deductions, but do not include the employee’s Social Security and Medicare contributions), under- Reporting actual income, misrepresentation about income and assets, etc. Other common methods include tax evasion through conduct of business, false statements in personal financial statements, tax avoidance through accounting schemes, preparation of false records, etc. Tax evasion penalties can include imprisonment (both federal and state), fines, tax liens, and other such civil penalties.

Tax evasion is, by definition, a crime. Thus, knowingly committing tax fraud crime, whether minor or major, is a crime. The nature of the charges and the state of the charged crime will generally determine the penalty. In general, a felony conviction will impose a greater penalty than a misdemeanor conviction.

It is always wise to consult a qualified criminal tax defense lawyer, preferably one with experience in both civil and criminal cases, when contemplating a tax-crime charge. These experienced tax lawyers will advise their clients on how best to plead, what evidence to use, and what penalty they should be able to expect (if anything at all). They will aggressively pursue the most favorable resolution for their clients’ cases, including a plea bargain. Tax evasion attorneys will also advise their clients on asset forfeiture and other tax crimes. Tax crimes can carry significant jail time, so it is vital that the tax fraud charge is https://www.tennesseetaxattorney.net/tax-debt-attorney-adams-tn/properly presented to the right court. A skilled tax fraud attorney will take all of the necessary steps to ensure that his client receives the best possible outcome in the criminal tax investigation and prosecution, said a tax attorney in Tennessee.

Tax fraud is a crime, and while no one likes to think about being charged criminally, everyone should come to appreciate just how serious these charges are. It is extremely important that tax fraud perpetrators are put behind bars so that they cannot continue to defraud the American public. Tax attorneys represent their clients in both criminal and civil court cases and aggressively pursue the best outcomes for their clients.

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Family Law

What Is a St. Louis Divorce Mediation?

Child Custody

There are a number of differences between child custody and paternity, although most of these differences pertain to the physical structure of the relationship. Child custody law is designed to ensure that children are safe in the care of people that they have known all their lives. In many cases, the term “custody” refers to both physical and legal relationships involving a child. Parents who don’t share physical custody are often referred to as “visitors” or “domestic partners.” This term stems from the fact that the parent with whom a child spends at least 35% of his or her time is assumed to be the custodial parent.

A divorce is seen by most people as a negative event. However, there are a number of positive aspects to a divorce that include the dissolution of a marriage. When you get a divorce, one of the most important decisions that you will make is what will happen to your children after the divorce. In St. Louis, child custody disputes are not seen as negative events; they are instead seen as positive events that need to be dealt with. Because of this, if you are going through a divorce and you are trying to work out an agreement regarding custody arrangements, you should consult with a St. Louis attorney.

Missouri is a no-fault state when it comes to divorce proceedings. Therefore, unless the parties agree otherwise during a meeting or via a written document, the process can be completed without litigation. In most cases, the process involves a divorce, dissolution of marriage or separation, custody and visitation. In addition to these basic arrangements, Missouri divorce laws outline a number of details that are related to the actual divorce. Some of these details include property distribution, child support and alimony. Once all the facts are considered during a St. Louis divorce mediation session, you and your spouse can work out an agreement regarding the details of your divorce.

If you are a parent that is seeking joint or full custody of your grandchildren, you may be a bit confused about where you stand with Missouri law. The fact is, under the state’s statutes and case law, any parent that has the physical custody of a child has the right to seek joint or full custody. In addition to this, if the grandparents live in the home, both parents are considered to be the custodial parent. The court will take into consideration any visitation rights that each parent has with the grandchild and will determine which parent the child will spend more time with on a daily basis.

If you are considering St. Louis divorce court, you should first consult with a family law attorney who specializes in family law and custody issues. He or she will be able to inform you about how the laws pertain to your specific circumstance and will recommend the best route for you to take when it comes to filing for custody and visitation. Many times, a family lawyer will represent both the mother and father in a divorce case. This ensures that the interests of all parties are represented and that their rights are protected throughout the litigation process. In many cases, a St. Louis divorce mediation will be facilitated by the court and the lawyers will work together to come up with a plan that will benefit all involved.

If you have questions about Missouri child custody cases and how they work, you should consult with a family lawyer in St. Louis. They will be able to answer any questions that you have and help you to determine what will be best for your child or children. As in most cases, the judges in the St. Louis Circuit will listen to both sides and determine who is going to be the custodial parent. St. Louis divorce mediation may be a good option for you if you are having a hard time agreeing on a custody schedule or if you don’t wish to take the case to trial. You can also learn more about your custody rights by consulting with a qualified attorney in the St. Louis area. There are many attorneys in the St. Louis area that specialize in family law.

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Tax Law

Law firms and organization that provides better taxation procedures

According to North Carolina Tax Attorney Tax Attorneys are lawyers who handle matters concerning taxation. They assist their clients deal with the complex regulatory system of tax laws and fully take advantage of all the tax benefits available to them. They also represent clients in various tax disputes with the IRS. With the help of a Tax Attorney, you will be able to maximize the tax deductibles you can claim for income earned in your workplace, on your own behalf. A Tax Attorney will therefore give sound tax advice to their client to help them maximize the amount of tax deduction they can claim for that income or any other work-related expense. Thus only an experienced and competent Tax Attorney can help you come out of the tax problems unscathed.

Attorneys working with taxation must have completed a full course in tax law, preferably from a reputable law school. They must have a strong background in accounting, auditing, and other related fields of business. Before becoming tax attorneys, these lawyers should have performed extensive research and examination in the field of taxation, including taxation laws of every country in the world. To become qualified as tax attorneys, they should have a minimum of two years of relevant experience in accounting, auditing, or other relevant tax fields.

It is common for clients of tax attorneys to consult with them before pursuing a case against the IRS. Such consultations help them evaluate the extent of their tax liability, obtain information on methods of minimizing their tax liabilities, and prepare their case for presentation before the IRS. Some of the common areas where tax attorneys can help their client clients are under the tax laws of various states or countries. The laws pertaining to these areas vary from one state to another. Thus, it is important that the client finds out the applicable tax laws of his/her state of residence. This is extremely important to prevent unnecessary complications at a later stage.

Apart from reviewing state laws, tax attorneys also help their clients deal with multistate tax issues. Some states allow their clients to file for bankruptcy in certain circumstances, while others do not. Similarly, some states offer tax relief for clients who settle their tax debts through installment agreement programs. On the other hand, most states do not offer any relief to tax debtors who file for state bankruptcy. Clients should check the status of their state laws before engaging the services of a tax attorney.

There are many organizations and firms that specialize in providing professional tax attorneys to individuals and companies. These organizations and firms are associated with the American Bar Association, which has a web site that provides the necessary information regarding tax attorneys. The web site can also be contacted for a fee.

Law firms and organizations are not the only providers of legal assistance to individuals and businesses. Clients should also find it easy to find local tax attorneys through the local telephone directory. The yellow pages should have a list of lawyers specializing in taxation. Some phone directories display a listing of lawyers by location. Hence, finding a lawyer specializing in taxation laws is not a difficult task.

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Probate Law

Understanding the Basics About Probate and Trust

In general, probate and estate planners are accountants who organize, and execute any last will and testament, trust document, or other documents that name beneficiaries. In general, probate and estate planners handle the entire probate and estate planning process, from filling out legal forms to filing paperwork with state agencies. They are also responsible for the guardianship of minor children, and act as their legal representatives until they are of age, at which time they can assume such duties themselves.

In a typical situation, when someone dies, their estate is left in the hands of their personal representative, commonly referred to as a probate lawyer or probate attorney Georgia. This person is responsible for fulfilling the intent of their last will and testament, preparing the trust account and distributing the assets to all beneficiaries, as well as paying any outstanding estate taxes, and other creditors.

Typically, probate attorneys and representatives have very busy schedules because of these duties, and it’s not uncommon for some probate work to be done by the personal representative while the decedent is still alive. However, even when the person dies after writing a Will, the probate court may still require that the probate lawyer file a statement in the probate court on behalf of the decedent, to ensure that the decedent’s last will and testament are properly completed and executed.

In short, the last will and testament are used as the tool for creating a will or charter that will be required to sign during the probate proceedings. At the same time, the probate court must make certain that any requirements of real property tax, for example, are fulfilled, and must certify that the decedent’s beneficiaries have the money they need to pay those taxes. If the person dies without having prepared a Last Will and Testament, there could be serious complications with probate, including possible civil actions from creditors. Also, without a Will, beneficiaries may not receive the proper inheritance share and could be denied rightful inheritance. Therefore, people who die without having prepared Last Will and Testament will find themselves at the mercy of the probate court.

There are some cases where a Will can be received by the decedent’s beneficiaries prior to the probate proceedings in the probate court. If the decedent leaves a living trust, his/her attorney can file paperwork with the court offering to fill in any gaps in the Will, if desired. If the decedent did not specify how his/her estate would be distributed, his/her attorney may suggest that his/her estate be divided into “pieces” or tranches, and this can also be done prior to the probate court order. There are also some financial planners who believe that the new probate process, with its emphasis on beneficiaries, actually enhances the process of estate planning.

After the probate court orders the distribution of probate assets and proceeds, how should they be transferred? One option is for the decedent to direct which assets go to whomever he/she wants them to go to. This could be a spouse, a family member or a friend. The other option would be to have a probate lawyer transfer the assets to an account, the lawyer can manage so that it is used for the decedent’s specific purposes.

Last but not least, estate planning and probate lawyers must coordinate with each other to make sure that the final plan does not exceed the probate limit. The two often must work closely together, particularly when the probate lawyer has many beneficiaries who must be paid the appropriate inheritance share. Estate planning can be time consuming and difficult. It is important, however, that everyone involved, from the executor to the probate lawyer, follow the law to avoid problems.

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Business Law

Guide in Choosing the Best Lawyer to Handle Corporate and Business Law

When looking for a business lawyer in Chicago, you want to find someone with both experience and expertise in personal injury and corporate law. Business and corporate law cover a wide area of the law that exists to help people and companies deal with the many issues that come up when owning, operating and managing a business. If you own a small business or are thinking about starting a business, it’s always a good idea to have a small business lawyer on your team to give you advice, as well as to make sure that everything is being done according to your state’s laws. If you are not familiar with corporate law or corporate laws, then you will want to find a qualified business lawyer in Chicago to help you understand these matters.

A small business lawyer in Chicago can give you guidance as to what you need to do to make sure that your business is following the letter of the law as it applies to you and your company. They will be able to explain to you the different corporate laws that are in effect, so you know you’re not getting into some shady business practices.

Business and Corporate Law

Click Here to continue reading. Illinois has its own set of laws pertaining to corporations and their rights. These laws include the Illinois Business Change Act which governs the Illinoisans’ right to transact business under a certain name. There are several attorneys who have made this their specialty and they know all of the ins and outs of Illinois corporate law. If you are looking for a corporate or business lawyer in Chicago to represent you or your company, you should look for one that has experience in the area of law you are needing assistance with.

Click Here to continue reading. Most business and corporate law are decided in what are called tribunals. tribunals are local court houses that hear case relating to various types of commercial transactions or agreements. Illinois has several tribunals that hear cases for everything from small business disputes to large industrial companies. One way to find small business lawyers in Chicago is by doing an online search.

Click Here to continue reading. There are different types of contracts, including employment contracts, real estate purchase and sale contracts and licensing agreements. The Illinois Supreme Court has issued some very important decisions related to business law and corporate law. Some of these decisions have had a huge impact on the way business and corporate law is decided in the state of Illinois.

Click Here to continue reading at the State Bar of Illinois’ website. At this site, you will find a complete listing of all Illinois Attorneys licensed to practice business law in the state of Illinois. You can also learn more about Illinois corporate laws by doing a state government web site search at the State Government website. There you will find links and information regarding various laws affecting business in the state of Illinois.

In Chicago, there are many business law services attorneys. These professionals specialize in various fields of business law. They can provide you with the needed legal advice, depending on your circumstances. If you are looking for an experienced business attorney, you might want to consider engaging the services of a corporate law firm in Chicago. If you are not sure what services these firms provide, you can always get a free consultation.

 

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Family Law

Divorce Attorney Fees – What Are the Costs Associated With Getting Divorced?

A Divorce Attorney is usually very expensive, because this is a process which involves a lot of money. In most cases, lawyers charge by the hour. The Divorce Attorney costs could be high or low depending on the nature of the case and your relationship with the lawyer. Divorce Attorneys is available by the dozens in any area you can think of so the initial step should be to pick a law firm with a good reputation and years of experience.

Once you’ve chosen your lawyer then it is time to set up that first meeting. At this meeting the Divorce Attorney will review your situation and the needs that you have. They will listen to your explanation of your problem and then determine if they have any tools and resources that can help you. This initial consultation is not only to close the books on your divorce but to also meet and speak with the Divorce Attorney on a personal level.

If at this first meeting all is going well then the Divorce Attorney will book you for a one on one or group sessions. These sessions are extremely helpful because they allow the Divorce Attorney to evaluate and change their mind if needed. At the end of the session your lawyer will be able to explain the results and if there is any way that you can work together. There are also many resources that can help you during your divorce process. It may be worth your while to invest in some of these resources before you even meet with your lawyer.

If these first steps to hiring a Divorce Attorney do not work then you can try using the Internet to help you find a qualified lawyer to help you with your divorce process. Many divorce lawyers have websites where they list their experience as well as some information about their practice. You can often get a feel for how the lawyer is in general by looking at their website.

The final step in the Divorce Attorney finding process is to figure out the total cost of hiring the Divorce Attorney. This cost will include the initial visit to the office, initial negotiations, the trial and any other issues that come up. Sometimes you will have to pay a contingency fee, which means that the Divorce Attorney’s fees will be waived if your case does not result in a Divorce. If the case does result in a Divorce and you have an uncontested divorce agreement, then you will need to pay for the Divorce Attorney’s fees. The fees that the Divorce Attorney will charge you will be broken down into two sections.

Some of the things like the initial visit, the trial, any unresolved issues, and the final disposition of the case, will cost a lot less than the cost of hiring a Divorce Attorney. Divorce Attorneys represents just a fraction of what family law attorneys cost. If you want to save money then it is well worth spending the extra time to research and choosing the right family law attorney.

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Tax Law

State and Taxation

Taxation

Taxation is the word for the action of imposing a financial burden on a citizen or resident of a state, province, country or other jurisdiction. Paying taxes to public authorities or municipalities has been a hallmark of civilized society since antiquity. The word “tax” generally applies to any type of voluntary levy, from income to property and capital gains. The state may impose tariffs or licensing fees as well.

A taxation issue involves a taxation regime that provides for the collection of taxes from individuals, corporations and other entities. Taxes may be progressive or regressive. A progressive tax regime increases the amount of taxes an entity must pay over time, while a regressive tax regime slows the progress of taxes down. A tax law aims to redistribute the wealth of the community by ensuring that some portion of the profits or income of the entities are distributed to the citizens of the nation. Governments often use taxation as a tool to collect money for important public projects such as health care and education.

In Florida, provinces and territories each have a unique taxation system. In Miami, for example, personal and corporate income, as well as capital gains, are included in the calculation of taxable income. A retailer’s tax is different from a farmer’s tax in Miami. The government sets the tax system, but provinces and territories also address taxation issues in their own ways.

The most common type of taxation is income or goods tax. Other common types of taxation include property tax, sales tax, import tax, sales tax and intangible personal property tax. When a business or entity does business in one province, it usually conducts trading in another part of the country or even internationally. For this reason, tax laws vary among different jurisdictions. International trade is very prevalent in Florida, which has led to the creation of a wide variety of tax laws for businesses that do international business. You may visit floridataxattorneys.net if you need help and further information about tax matters.

Wealthy entrepreneurs have a special concern when it comes to taxation. Because they have a higher net worth, they tend to pay a higher rate of taxes than the average person. Wealthy entrepreneurs have special tax breaks available to them through taxation planning.

Taxation is required to ensure fair distribution of public resources. Without proper taxation, the government will soon become dependent on the revenue that it receives from taxes. The federal government along with provincial/territorial governments must share resources equally. Without revenue from taxes, the government cannot plan for future programs or provide services to its people. As such, both the federal and provincial/territorial governments provide substantial support to their citizens through taxation.

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Tax Law

Choosing the best tax lawyers to handle your tax case

In the recent past, many tax problems have been faced by people all over the world. Some people have failed to file their returns for the year because of various reasons, and this is where the help of a tax attorney comes in. These attorneys have knowledge on all kinds of taxes that are applicable in a country and they know how to file the right paperwork for you. If you need help from an experienced lawyer, then you can find one easily online and through advertisements in the media. Attorneys Tax Relief in Illinois offers you the best tax lawyers in the city of Clifton.

You should choose the best tax lawyers to handle your case, as this will help you save a lot of money from your taxes. They will be able to solve your tax issues in a very short time and you will not have to pay the full amount for their services.

Before choosing a tax lawyer, you should ask him about his experience and qualifications for the job. You should also ask him about the type of taxes he specializes in. It is very important that you are well informed before you even consider hiring a tax professional, as you might end up losing out a lot if you are not careful.

A good tax attorney will be able to give you suggestions regarding your particular problem, and will be able to tell you how to go about it without spending too much time on it. For example, if you are a self-employed person, then you should take into account the type of taxes that you will be paying and if you are self-employed, you should make sure you have a good accountant. This will ensure that your taxes are calculated in a proper manner and you do not have any hidden deductions that you do not want to pay.

Some tax lawyers will be able to help you get a reduction in your taxes through the use of the IRS. If your accountant is not giving you enough information or is not giving you the required deductions, then you should hire a tax lawyer who can help you get more information on the matter.

The way how tax lawyers help us in our tax problems will depend upon the nature of the problem that we are facing. You should take your time when making your choice and consider all options available before making a choice. Once you have selected a good lawyer, you should start looking for other tax professionals as well so that you can get all the help you need. and ensure that you have the best possible deal.

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Family Law

Factors that impact a Court’s Decision in Child Custody and Child Support

In Pembroke Pines, a number of factors may impact a court’s decision in child custody and child support. A family law judge will consider a number of factors, including a child’s needs, the physical health of the child, how each parent treats the child, the age and maturity of the child, and whether or not one parent wants or needs to spend time with the child. However, in most cases a family judge will award custody based on the preference of the child’s parents.

Common reasons for modifying child support payments in Pembroke Pines include if one parent has been unable to provide the child with necessities, such as food and shelter, while the other parent has been able to provide the child with luxuries. Other reasons that child support may be modified is when the child’s needs have changed, such as if a child was born with special needs or has grown out of school. Other reasons for modifying child support payments in Pembroke Pines include changing a physical address or residence of one parent. If the non-custodying parent has been incarcerated for a prolonged period of time, the non-custodying parent may be able to receive child support payments while the custodial parent remains incarcerated. A parent who is involved in an accident that resulted in physical injury to the child, the non-custodying parent or a friend of the non-custodying parent may also be entitled to modify or stop the payments for a limited period of time.

Child support in Pembroke Pines may also be modified if one of the parents is unable to make necessary payments due to circumstances beyond the control of either parent. Some examples of these circumstances include loss of employment (being laid off or getting terminated), permanent changes in physical circumstances (such as involuntarily losing a job or becoming ill), a major change in the financial situation of one parent (such as an inheritance received by one parent and then transferred to another). In some instances, one or both parents may not be able to pay the child support due to certain medical issues, such as HIV or a certain type of cancer. Also, one or both parents may simply decide to part ways. with the relationship. When this happens, the non-custodying parent can request that a court order the payment of child support to continue.

Child support may also be modified based on the best interests of the child, although a court cannot decide what would be best for every child. There are a number of cases in which the court may determine that both parents would be better served by having one parent retains custody of the child. These situations include cases where either parent has failed to meet their duties to the child. An example of this situation is where the custodial parent does not visit the child regularly or has exhibited behavior that the court believes to be detrimental to the child. In some cases, parents may have an ongoing disagreement regarding child-care, where one parent is the primary caregiver and the other is not, where one parent is delinquent in child-care and the other has shown a willingness to seek alternative care, and where one parent has shown neglect of the child. Another situation that can be considered in determining child custody and child support would be where the non-custodying parent was involved in an accident and caused physical harm to the child.

In the case of an accident or serious incident involving the child, a court may also order that the non-custodying parent or both parents to pay child-support payments as a way of ensuring that the child receives proper medical attention. In order to be able to establish a case that one parent is unfit to care for the child, the court must prove that one of the parties is unfit and unable to properly care for the child.

Child custody and child support can be very complicated issues. They are designed to help ensure that the children are well taken care of in the event that a parent loses custody of the child. The court can make these decisions after hearing both parties’ sides of the issue, and after considering the best interests of the child.