Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Child Support legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Pennsylvania Child Support Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: How much would my child support payment be after modification in PA?

How much would my child support payment be after modification? I currently live in Pennsylvania, and I'm considering a modification to my existing child support order. My husband was recently laid off, and we're now facing a loss of income in a tough job market, with me having to pay all... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can a judge deny a divorce if one spouse wants to work things out, given infidelity and custody concerns?

I am considering asking a judge to deny a divorce requested by my wife, as I wish to work on our marriage instead of ending it. We’ve been married for 16 years and have four daughters. Despite my wife’s history of infidelity, I want to preserve our family for their sake. My wife claims... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 11, 2025

This is a heartbreaking situation, and it’s clear that you care deeply about your family and want to hold it together. Unfortunately, in most states, including those that follow no-fault divorce laws, a judge cannot force a marriage to continue if one spouse wants to end it. Even if you want to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Child Support and Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: How is child support adjusted when oldest child emancipates in PA divorce?

I have three children, ages 15, 13, and 10, all unemancipated, and have commenced a divorce action in Pennsylvania. My husband claims that his child support obligation will be reduced by 33 1/3% after our oldest graduates high school and goes to college, and then by 50% after the next child... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 14, 2025

In Pennsylvania, child support is not automatically reduced by a fixed percentage when each child emancipates. The court calculates support based on the combined income of both parents and the number of children still eligible for support. When one child becomes emancipated, the support order... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law, Child Support and Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Concern about informal child support arrangement affecting USCIS citizenship interview in Pennsylvania.

I have an upcoming appointment with USCIS for my citizenship interview, and I am concerned about my child support situation. There is an informal mutual agreement between my ex-partner and me for monthly payments, but due to financial hardship, including unemployment and insufficient freelance... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 13, 2025

Your situation regarding informal child support arrangements and how it might affect your citizenship interview requires careful consideration. USCIS evaluates good moral character (GMC) during the five-year period preceding your naturalization application, and financial responsibilities toward... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Is a $150 credit for my ex-husband legal in PA child support?

I live in Pennsylvania, and my ex-husband receives a $150 credit on the child support he pays me each month because he has three biological children and four stepchildren. This credit affects the support my son and I receive. There has been previous legal involvement regarding child support for my... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 14, 2025

In Pennsylvania, it is legal for the court to adjust a child support obligation based on the number of other children a parent is financially responsible for. This includes both biological and, in some cases, stepchildren, depending on the financial relationship and household structure. The idea is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Custody and child support dispute after breakup. Seeking 50/50 custody due to false CPS claims.

My son recently broke up with his girlfriend, who took their child with her. She has two other children from different fathers who pay her child support, and she seeks full custody and additional support from my son. She hasn't let him see his child for over a month, claiming CPS requires... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 12, 2025

Your first step is to file for custody as soon as possible. Since the mother has not allowed visitation, this will help establish your son’s legal right to see his child. At the custody hearing, he should present evidence of the communication with her, including texts that mention CPS... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Child Support for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can I modify alimony and child support in PA after agreement?

I agreed to a divorce in Northampton County, PA, and want to understand what my child support and alimony should be, given that my monthly gross income is $6,825 and my ex-spouse's monthly gross income is $3,465. We have one child for whom she has custody, and I kept the home. The agreement... View More

Kathryn Hilbush
Kathryn Hilbush
answered on Mar 3, 2025

Possibly yes as to the child support, probably no as to the alimony. If you had an attorney representing you for the negotiations and finalization of the divorce, that would be the best person to ask this question. If you were not represented, then locate a locale attorney experienced in family law... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Pennsylvania on
Q: did trump pass that if i pay child support i claim the child
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 11, 2025

No.

He also didn’t say he was going to pass any such law.

That is totally false.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Pennsylvania on
Q: I am in Pa & have a 5 yr old son in Tx who may not have any formal paperwork (bc, ss).Mom refuses contact w me.options?

In Feb 2019 we had an unexpected homebirth. We lived together for 1 year when mom took our son to her family and refuses to speak, acknowledge, or even accept child support from me or my family. He was only seen informally by medical professionals, & never received legal documentation while we... View More

Shadia M Combs
Shadia M Combs
answered on Jul 20, 2024

I am sorry you are going through this. Sadly based on the information you have provided if the child has not been in PA for at least six (6) months PA does not have jurisdiction over the child. You will have to go through the Texas courts. Reach out to a Texas family law attorney to inquiry about... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Civil Rights and Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: If you do not come to a PFA hearing can you get arrested?
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 25, 2024

If you are involved in a Protection From Abuse (PFA) case and fail to attend the hearing, the consequences depend on your role in the case. If you are the petitioner, the one who requested the PFA, not showing up could result in the dismissal of your case. This means the protective order may not be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Pennsylvania on
Q: My ex lives in TX & filed for child support. I'm in PA. I received mail from Domestics.

I know she filed some time ago but I wasn't working at the time. I just started working recently. Post office left a pink slip for me to pick up and sign for mail from Domestic Relations. If I don't sign and it's returned undeliverable, what happens? The mailing address is one that... View More

Peter Christopher Lomtevas
Peter Christopher Lomtevas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 10, 2024

There are numerous and serious misunderstandings about what child support is and isn't. This response will be too brief to fully explain this conjecture. We will try as much as we can.

The first major misconception is that joblessness is no defense against child support. A prisoner...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: can you offer to drop a child support case if the other party agrees to sign away his rights?

I have full legal and full physical custody of my 3-year-old daughter. I have a teleconference call with my daughter's father and a child support conciliator. can I offer to drop the case if he signs his rights away. he didn't meet her till she was 7-month-old. old filed for custody... View More

Peter Christopher Lomtevas
Peter Christopher Lomtevas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 14, 2024

We here are strictly prohibited from assuming the position of a lawyer representing a client and rendering legal advice. We cannot say what legal steps an asker must take to arrive at her legal conclusion. We can educate, and that is how best to approach this asker's question.

In a...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: If I marry a single mom can I be held liable for child support if it doesn't work out?
T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 10, 2024

In Pennsylvania, marrying a single mom does not automatically make you liable for child support for her children from a previous relationship. Child support obligations are generally tied to the biological or adoptive parents of the child. Marrying someone with children does not create a legal... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Pennsylvania on
Q: My live-in boyfriend and I are expecting a baby 2/24. Can I receive child support from him while pregnant in PA?

He is paying child support for 2 children from a previous relationship and I want to know if I’m entitled to child support while I am pregnant with his child

T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 30, 2023

Child support orders are typically established after the child is born.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Pennsylvania on
Q: What state has jurisdiction over a child support order in a divorce decree ?

My son just graduated high school. The divorce was in New Jersey in 2014. She resides in florida (6yrs) and I reside in Delaware (8yrs). My son was given an athletic scholarship to a school he will be dorming at in Georgia. I have seen that NJ law that a child could be supported up to 23, but... View More

Kathryn Hilbush
Kathryn Hilbush
answered on Jun 1, 2023

I suggest that you contact the attorney who handled your divorce in NJ. If you resolved your divorce and related matters with a Property or Marital Settlement Agreement. it may cover such an issue. Regardless. I believe that your first contact should be that lawyer or another NJ attorney... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Pennsylvania on
Q: I'm trying to figure out who has legal rights to my son?

Long story short, I seperated from my husband and had a child with another man before the divorce finalized. The man has made zero contribution to my child but did sign an acknowledgement of paternity at the hospital at the time my child was born. I filed for child support today and domestic... View More

Kathryn Hilbush
Kathryn Hilbush
answered on May 24, 2023

Consult with a local attorney experienced in family law. Domestic Relations should not be handing out legal advice. If your family was not intact when the child was born then it's not likely that your former husband has any support obligation for this child. Retain an attorney to guide you... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Pennsylvania on
Q: Child support PA: 3 kids with different women and I was ordered to pay 1k for my youngest. Do my other kids count?

I have a multi family child support case. I was ordered to pay 20% of my income for my youngest child. I asked for consideration of my other kids hearing master said I had to show proof of child support payments. How am I supposed to show proof if they are in my custody? I asked to show me proof... View More

Peter Christopher Lomtevas
Peter Christopher Lomtevas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 15, 2022

In this question, the asker is arguing with himself, and as such cannot get a cogent response from us.

In general terms, multiple orders of child support are not enough to offset one another. Typically, an order of support must be actually paid to count as a deduction against another order...
View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Family Law, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Plaintiff not present at Child Support Contempt of Court Hearing – Unconstitutional?

1. I appeared at Contempt of Court Hearing regarding Child Support but never filed an Entry of Appearance

2. Plaintiff was not present, I objected, it was overruled

3. Judge stated on the public record that the court adheres to all the laws of the Federal Constitution and the... View More

Peter Christopher Lomtevas
Peter Christopher Lomtevas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Nov 22, 2022

This asker posed this question on Avvo. This was the response:

This question leaves some unanswered question one of which is who is the obligee. Is the obligee the custodial parent or is it the government who obtained an assignment of the obligation. The impression from this narrative is...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Pennsylvania on
Q: Does my husband's income count as mine on child support as a stay at home mom?

I live in the state of Pa. I've been married to my husband for 6 years. My son's (7yo), bio father has recently stopped paying child support that we cordially agreed on after only paying for a year. I want to go through court and get it court ordered. But does my husband's income... View More

Peter Christopher Lomtevas
Peter Christopher Lomtevas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Nov 6, 2022

Pennsylvania law has long provided that a child support award is determined based upon the income of individuals who owe a duty of support to the child (the parents of the child). However, the Pennsylvania Superior Court deviated from that analysis, and considered the income of a parent’s new... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support for Pennsylvania on
Q: If my parental rights were terminated and the child was being adopted, am I still responsible for new child support pay?

Mother has full custody, my rights were involuntary terminated and the child was entering a new family unit with a family member who desired to adopted the child.

Kathryn Hilbush
Kathryn Hilbush
answered on Oct 19, 2022

If your parental rights were actually terminated in an Orphans Court proceeding, then you are no longer legally the child's father and would not be responsible for child support after the parental rights termination. You would still be responsible for paying any arrears owed in support prior... View More

Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.