Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

When children are involved, divorce and child support go hand-in-hand. In the majority of cases, divorcing parents know that child support payments will be made; how much those payments will be worth; and how the transaction will take place - whether through wage garnishment or otherwise. However, according to a WAFB.com article, a Baton Rouge man recently discovered that his wages have been garnished for years for a pair of children whom he doesn’t know and who belong to a woman that he never met.

Reportedly, the wage garnishing had always confused the man, but he figured that the reduction being made to his check was regarding taxes or insurance or some other necessary cost. Labeled as “Discretionary Allotment” on his check, the man never questioned the charge while serving 12 years in the United States Navy. However, after taking on a job at Wal-Mart, the man noticed that the reduction reappeared on his check, but this time labeled as “Family Support, Child Support” instead of the description used previously. The Louisiana resident contacted the Division of Child Support Enforcement of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, and the matter is currently being investigated in order to correct the error. Unfortunately, according to the Department of Human Services, mistakes like this do happen every once in a while, particularly when the mother filing the paperwork only knows that father-in-question’s name, and not his social security number.

At the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our experienced Pennsylvania child support lawyers offer assistance in all areas of family law, including matters surrounding child support. For more information about how we can assist you, call us today at 610-645-0100 for a free consultation.

According to a recent report, Andre Iguodala, Sixers basketball star, is facing a child support lawsuit by Clayanna Warthen, of South New Jersey. The female child, London, was born this year in May and Warthen is seeking temporary support of $12,000 to $15,000 a month. Often, those involved in child support disputes would prefer for matters regarding which parent pays, how much should be paid, for how long, and by what means, to all be settled out of court if possible. However, elements of child support can get complicated fast and in this case, litigation has proved necessary.

As reported by his attorney, Iguodala feels “blessed to have a healthy new daughter” and he will give her “all of the support and love she needs for a happy and full life.”

During her pregnancy, Iguodala provided Warthen with $3,000 to $4,000 multiple times to help support her and their child; however, Warthen expects higher sums to help her provide for London. In the suit, Warthen is asking the court to have Iguodala reveal his finances in which he signed a contract worth an alleged $80 million. She is also demanding that her daughter receive the “same opportunities and benefits any child born of the defendant.” Iguodala also has a son born in 2007.

No matter which state a child support dispute takes place in, the same obstacle to reach a compromised decision in the best interest of the child exists, although the law dictates how this is to be done in different ways. Even though this child support lawsuit is taking place in New Jersey, if it were taking place in Pennsylvania, the amount of child support awarded by the court would be established in accordance with the Pennsylvania Support guideline, which was developed for children of separated or divorced parents to attain the same amount of parental incomes as if the parents were together. (Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 1910.16.)

Whether you think you aren’t receiving enough child support or are paying too much, the experienced Philadelphia child support lawyer, Sheryl R. Rentz, is available to help you with your case. To ensure the well-being of your child and the defense of your rights, call the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz for a free consultation today.

Officials in Montgomery County are cracking down on parents – deadbeat dads and moms – who owe back Pennsylvania child support payments, according to this news report. If parents don’t pay their child support arrearages by the deadline, Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies will actively go after parents who owe the money, officials say. The Sheriff’s Department says it could get ugly. Deputies won’t just contact the parents, but also their employers and basically “do whatever it takes to these people that owe child support to get them to pay it and stand up to their responsibilities.”

In Pennsylvania, failure to comply with a child support order is punishable by up to six months in jail. Those living outside of Pennsylvania who owe money can expect to be contacted by federal agents. There is about $9 million in outstanding child support payments just in Montgomery County, officials say.

If you are a parent in Pennsylvania who wants to pay these child support dues after not making them for a while or if you are a parent who would like to collect what is owed to you, please consult an experienced Pennsylvania child support attorney for free advice. If you owe child support arrearages, you could face several serious consequences including jail time, driving license and passport suspension, bank account seizure, seizure of certain incomes and assets in addition to the embarrassment of it all.

The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz has handled child support cases in Pennsylvania for years. We offer free and confidential consultation on any potential case regarding child support, child custody or divorce issues. Call us today to find out more about your legal rights and options.

The slowing economy and weak job market is having an adverse effect on child support, Illinois officials are finding out. According to this news report in the Chicago Tribune, a lot of parents are asking for a break because they have lost their jobs or have some other economic hardship. The Illinois Division of Child Support is apparently seeing a slowdown in collections and an increase in support paid out of unemployment benefits. This trend is understandably putting a strain on custodial parents who depend on that child support check to keep their households running. Illinois law requires parents who don’t have custody to pay between 20 and 50 percent of his or her income, depending on the number of children involved.

Pennsylvania has very strict laws that make penalties for those who don’t pay child support extremely severe. Any amount owed in back payments is known as “arrearages.” The parent who fails to make those payments can face harsh penalties including jail time, driver’s license and passport suspension, bank account seizure, reporting of failure to pay to credit agencies and seizure of certain incomes and properties.

Whether you are a parent who wants to collect child support or a parent who is seeking assistance to make these payments, the Law Office of Sheryl R. Rentz can help you. Please contact us for a free and comprehensive consultation to learn more information about your legal rights and options. We can help you recover your legally entitled child support, help couples who are worried about making a child support contract, or even help parents who have not paid child support for some time. Call experienced Philadelphia child support attorney Sheryl R. Rentz today at 610-645-0100 for a free consultation.