Rochester Child Support Lawyer

At Kohlmeyer Hagen, Law Office Chtd., our Rochester child support lawyer has the professional skills and family law expertise to protect your rights and your interests through every step of the legal process. If you are locked in any type of child support dispute, we are here to help. To set your strictly confidential, no obligation family law consultation with a top Minnesota child support attorney, please do not hesitate to contact our Rochester law office today. 

An Overview of Child Support in Rochester (Minnesota Law)

Minnesota law is clear: Parents have a general financial responsibility to provide support for their children. When parents get divorced or otherwise separate, there may be a legal child support arrangement in place. Most often, a child support order will call upon the non-custodial parent—the parent who does not have primary physical possession of the child—to provide ongoing financial support. Though, child support matters in Rochester are always case-specific. Here is a basic explanation of how child support works in Minnesota: 

• Monthly Child Support (Basic Child Support): The payment from the non-custodial parent covers the child’s everyday necessities, such as housing, food, clothing, and transportation. In the vast majority of cases, basic child support will be handled through an ongoing monthly payment. 
• Supplemental Expenses (Medical, Child Care, Etc.): Minnesota parents are also obligated to contribute to reasonable “supplemental” costs. Some notable examples can include things like medical care and child care. In certain circumstances, a non-custodial parent may be required to provide additional child support to contribute towards supplemental costs. 

Legally speaking, the parent who pays child support in Minnesota is the obligor. The parent who receives child support in Minnesota is called the obligee. Most often, child support will last from the date that it is established to the date that the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever one comes second. In practice, this means that most child support obligations in Minnesota run until a child’s high school graduation. Though, there are exceptions in both directions. In some circumstances, such as if a child is disabled, child support obligations may even be extended beyond the child’s 18th birthday. 

We Handle the Full Spectrum of Child Support Cases in Rochester, Minnesota

With a conveniently located law office in Rochester, we take on all types of child support cases in Olmsted County and across the surrounding region. No matter what type of child support issue you are navigating, our Rochester family lawyers are standing by, ready to review your case, answer your questions, and help you determine the proper legal plan of action. Along with other types of child support cases in Rochester, our family law team has experience with: 

• Negotiating child support settlements; 
• Establishing a child support order in a divorce or separation; 
• Petitions to deviate from our state’s child support guidelines; 
• Modifying an already existing child support order; 
• Retroactive child support cases; and 
• Collecting back due child support payments. 

Minnesota: Child Support Guidelines

With child support cases, parents are not required to start from “scratch” when determining how much should be paid. Quite the contrary, Minnesota has generalized child support guidelines in place that are used as a foundation for child support determinations. You can refer to the official Minnesota Child Support Guidelines Calculator to help get an estimate of how much you can expect to owe or how much you can expect to receive. Guidelines are based largely on: 

1. The income of the parent’s; and
2. The number of children supported. 

You Can Deviate from Child Support Guidelines When Appropriate

It is important for all divorced or separated parents of young children in Rochester to understand that our state’s child support guidelines are not set in stone. Minnesota law presumes that the child support guidelines are appropriate for any given case. However, that presumption can be overcome with evidence. You may be able to deviate from the child support guidelines, in either direction. The non-custodial parent may be required to pay more or pay less than the guidelines would otherwise call for. Some notable factors that could justify a child support deviation in Minnesota include: 

• Parental resources other than “income”; 
• Each parent’s genuine financial capacity to contribute; 
• Parenting time and other contributions towards raising the child(ren); and
• Unique medical, emotional, or educational needs of the child. 

Child support deviation cases can be especially challenging. If you are seeking a deviation from the child support guidelines in Minnesota—either to receive more or to pay less—it is crucial that you have an experienced Rochester, MN child support attorney on your side. Your lawyer will be in the best position to protect your rights and help you find the best solution. 

Why Parents Rely On the Rochester Child Support Lawyers at Kohlmeyer Hagen

Going through a child support dispute is complicated—especially so if there are questions about how much is owed. At Kohlmeyer Hagen, Law Office Chtd., we use our deep knowledge of state’s child support laws to help protect the rights and interests of our clients. When you contact our Rochester office, you will have a chance to work with a Minnesota child support attorney who can: 

• Hear your story, answer questions, and explain your legal options; 
• Gather all relevant financial documents, financial records, and other evidence; 
• Represent you in any child support settlement negotiations with your co-parent; and
• Take whatever legal action is needed to protect your parental rights and financial interests. 

Get Help From Our Rochester, MN Child Support Attorneys Today

At Kohlmeyer Hagen, Law Office Chtd., our Rochester child support lawyer is committed to helping parents find the best financial solutions for their specific situation. If you have any questions about child support, we are here as a family law resource. Contact us at 507-625-5000 to set up your fully confidential, no commitment initial case evaluation. From our Rochester law office, we represent parents in child support proceedings in Olmsted County and throughout Southern Minnesota.