Whether you just began the divorce process or wish to modify an established child support arrangement, it’s critical that you understand child support laws in Minnesota as well as your rights as a parent in a divorce. To ensure you’re treated fairly and receive the outcome that is right for you and your children, it’s imperative that you work with a skilled Bloomington child support lawyer who can protect your interests and help you navigate proceedings.
Santana Law, PLLC, is a dedicated legal firm in Minnesota that offers comprehensive family law services in Bloomington and beyond. Founding attorney Ronnie Santana has experience as a family law practitioner, a defense attorney, and a former prosecutor. Because of this, he has an in-depth understanding of both state criminal and family laws. This experience can be invaluable when creating and negotiating child support.
In Minnesota, married couples make up about 62% of homeowners in the state. 658,763 of these households include children. While Minnesota has a relatively low divorce rate, sitting around 10.9%, divorces are still common throughout the state and often require legal intervention, especially when children are involved.
When the families in these homes separate, it’s up to you, your spouse, and the Hennepin County District Court to create a fair divorce plan that addresses child support. Minnesota courts are going to act in the best interest of the child when it comes to child custody, visitation, and support orders, so it’s worthwhile to take the time to develop a fair agreement with your spouse that works well for everyone. Unfortunately, this is often easier said than done.
Whether you’re in a contentious situation with your co-parent or not, navigating child support cases can be difficult. Instead of trying to handle everything on your own, let a child support attorney in Bloomington help you through the process.
There are many situations that can arise that may lead to you hiring a Bloomington child support lawyer. Whether you’re going through a divorce with children or you had a child with a co-parent who refuses to pay support, hiring a skilled family lawyer can help ensure that you and your children obtain a fair outcome. A Bloomington child support lawyer can assist you with the following:
Even if your proceedings are not contentious, it is always smart to hire a lawyer who can protect you and your children’s rights throughout hearings and meetings. Without a lawyer on your side, your spouse’s legal team or local courts may not create an agreement that’s fair to you.
Legal issues regarding your family can be complicated. On top of the complex legal proceedings you must now navigate, you have to deal with the emotional challenges these types of cases bring about, too. Instead of trying to do it alone, let a Bloomington child support attorney guide you through it.
Santana Law has experience navigating complex family law cases, including child support arrangements, and has done so for years. Founding attorney, Ronnie Santana, has worked with countless families to resolve diverse legal cases. As a bilingual and bicultural attorney, he’s able to connect with even more families throughout Bloomington and beyond. No matter your situation, you can count on the team at Santana Law to help you through it.
The amount you can receive in child support payments in Minnesota ultimately depends on the details of your situation. The courts look at things like the amount of court-ordered parenting time each parent has, the gross income of both parents, the number of children they have together, unreimbursed medical bills, and more. They also estimate the costs for child care, daycare, healthcare, and insurance.
If you have been unable to collect child support payments from your co-parent in Minnesota, you can enforce your court order with help from a child support lawyer. You can file a motion to hold them in contempt, and the court can make them pay back what they owe you, plus additional fines. You may also levy or seize financial assets or collect the money through income withholding. The courts will likely choose how your co-parent will pay you back.
Minnesota child support guidelines underwent changes in 2023. These changes updated the data used to calculate child support orders and also changed minimum basic support amounts. The updates also included a low-income adjustment for parents with combined incomes of less than $6,000. Ultimately, the goal of the new laws is to provide more accurate data for calculating child support so parents receive appropriate amounts to care for their children.
There are three types of child support that can be ordered under Minnesota law. These are known as basic child support, child-care support, and medical child support. Basic child support covers a child’s fundamental needs. Child-care support refers to the expenses the custodial parent incurs for taking care of the child. Medical support involves healthcare costs for the child, including insurance coverage.
Navigating a child support case in Bloomington can be overwhelming on your own. If you have questions about securing child support payments, modifying existing child support arrangements, or navigating any other issue, you can turn to Santana Law. With years of experience navigating complex family law cases, you can trust our firm to fight for you and your family’s interests.
Our team has successfully managed countless child support cases in Bloomington and is ready to do the same for you. Contact the office today to set up an appointment with a dedicated Bloomington child support lawyer.
“Ronnie has given excellent legal advice. I would recommend him to anyone. He is hardworking and goes above and beyond to help his clients. “- Hannah Pinter ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I’ve had several cases with Ronnie and found him to be great to work with and very reasonable. His cases weren’t just paperwork he was shuffling. He gave them an individual look and worked to tailor a fair outcome.
In addition to Ronnie’s compassionate approach, he’s fiercely intelligent. More importantly, he’s not afraid to admit if he’s wrong. In my experience, that quality alone can help clients immensely as their cases won’t get married to the attorney’s own pride. Ronnie’s honest and practical approach is what you want in your corner.” – Earl Wins ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐