When a family goes through a divorce it is difficult for everyone, and, in many cases, the children end up spending less time with their father. The father needs a lawyer he can count of such as Cordell & Cordell, who will look after his interests for alimony, child custody and child support.
Spousal Support
Spousal support or alimony is often paid by the father to his wife if he was the primary income earner. There is no permanent rule in any state for calculating the amount that must be given. This is one reason why a lawyer who will support the man’s side in the proceedings can make a big difference on the financial outcome of the divorce. Some of the factors for calculating alimony are:
• The length of the marriage
• The income earned and other financial resources of each party
• The length of time one spouse may require to train and enter the workforce
• The possible earning capacity of each spouse including the value of a stay-at-home mom
Child Support
The amount fathers pay for child support can be complicated and, it becomes even more complicated because the laws vary from state to state. Most child support covers food, clothing and shelter. However, there are other expenses such as team uniforms, school trips and uninsured medications. During the days the child lives with a parent, that parent is responsible for any extra expenses. A lawyer who is focusing on the father’s rights will help him track child support payments and extras to make sure the wife is using the money he sent for the children and not for her.
Child Custody
The court will give legal and physical custody of a child according what it deems is in the best interest of the child. Since children are more often placed with their mothers, fathers need to understand that their behavior can help or hinder their chance of custody. Some things the father needs to avoid are:
• Spousal abuse
• Child abuse
• Living with a person who has been convicted of child abuse
Parents should do everything they can to minimize the trauma of a divorce for their children. If the father hires an attorney who will look to his rights during the proceedings, there is a good chance the results will be more favorable for the child’s relationship with his or her father.