The termination of child support can occur naturally based on the original court order, or it can happen as a result of difficult legal proceedings. While bringing this obligation to an end early is rarely easy, it may be possible with the help of a dedicated child support attorney.
If you believe it is time for these mandatory payments to come to an end, or if you are trying to stop them from ending, your chances of success greatly increase with the support of legal counsel. Let a Florida child support termination lawyer advise you of your options.
Termination Based on Provisions in the Support Order
Most of the time, a child support obligation comes to an end based on the order of the terminology. There may be a firm date when the payments explicitly end. These agreements can also spell out that the obligation terminates when a child reaches the age of majority.
Seeking the support of a Florida child support termination attorney is important even in these cases. Even a minor misunderstanding can lead to lasting financial consequences. The right legal counsel can ensure that the appropriate date is reflected in the document. What’s more, there might be a need for more complex language if there are multiple juveniles with different birthdates to consider.
Significant Changes Requiring Termination
While these obligations usually come to an end naturally due to the language of the support order, there are situations when the court might intervene. In these situations, it is vital to have the support of a child support termination lawyer in Florida.
Death
The death of a parent or child could bring about the end of a child support obligation before the formal termination date. A judge may not force the estate of a deceased person to continue with these payments unless the individual signed an agreement that they would be willing to do so after their passing. The death of a child will also see the end of these payments.
Adoption
Any time a child is adopted by someone other than a biological parent, the rights related to the birth parents are typically given up as part of that process. Once rights are awarded to someone other than the biological parents, those individuals are no longer on the hook for child support.
Legal Termination
Some parents lose their rights related to their children due to neglect or mistreatment. A person must be able to show that the biological parent is mistreating the child, and that they would be better off in the custody and care of another adult. There is a presumption that parents are acting in their child’s best interests, meaning there must be proof of negligence or abuse before these rights can be terminated.
Emancipation
Some juveniles petition the court to live separately and independently from their parents through a process known as emancipation. This might happen when a young person is married, joins the military, or is otherwise able and willing to support themselves financially. A Florida parent can petition to terminate this obligation for an emancipated child.
Talk to an Attorney in Florida About Child Support Termination
Disputes over ending a child support obligation can quickly become heated. You have rights related to these payments, and a Florida child support termination lawyer can protect them for you. Do not risk a bad outcome by handling this matter on your own. Call today for a free case evaluation with The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm.