Search Site
Menu

What to Do If You Receive a Child Support Petition

If you receive a formal petition for child support, you must respond in an appropriate manner. In Minnesota, state law considers child support a fundamental right of all children, which means you are legally obligated to support your kids.

When you get the petition, read the instructions in the letter and comply accordingly. In most cases, the petition will include information on a child support hearing you will need to attend on a certain day and time. At the hearing, the judge determines how much child support you will pay depending on factors like your income, the other parent’s income, how much time the child spends with each parent, medical expenses, special needs and any other circumstances that affect the cost of raising the child.

Ultimately, the court will decide how much child support you owe based on what is in the best interests of the children in question.

What happens at the child support hearing?

You must appear at the child support hearing, bringing along any documents the court has requested. This could include evidence of your income, account statements and anything else that helps provide your financial profile.

If you do not show up to the hearing or fail to pay child support as the court orders, you could end up facing legal penalties. These could include wage garnishments, a driver’s license suspension, fines and even jail time.

If you receive any sort of legal document requesting you to appear in court, it’s a good idea to consult an attorney who can represent you throughout the process. To learn more about this important issue, meet with a skilled Minnesota child support attorney at Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Our Attorneys
Client testimonials
  • "Tori had a thorough understanding of my situation and made excellent recommendations to resolve my concerns. She was persistent on communication and handled everything in a very timely manner. I would definitely hire her again in the future if needed." - M.K.

  • "With Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A., it is like having a family physician. They are all knowledgeable, thorough, comforting, and the only call I need to make for all my legal needs for many years to come. No matter what the matter, I totally trust their advice and commitment to me and my family." - J.N.

  • "Mary from APH Law helped me thru a difficult divorce. She and the entire staff was there for me every step of the way helping me on what to do next. They listened to what I wanted and helped me achieve what matter the most to me in the divorce settlement." - Dana C.

  • "I chose APH after my initial consultation with Mary. I felt my best interest would be represented. The entire process went excellent, the attorneys and staff communicated effectively and efficiently with me throughout the process as they needed to. Being new to the legal process and verbiage, they walked me and talked me through the next steps and the jargon, I felt completely comfortable and represented. I hope I never have to use legal services again but if I do I will call Mary at APH Law and know that I will be taken care of." - Jeff M.

  • "Divorce is a time of emotion and stress. Mary Pfeifer , My lawyer was professional and compassionate. She was very informative through the process. Her insight helped me in my decisions. She worked hard to obtain a settlement which was fair to both parties. Though, I hope I won't need her help again. It is reassuring to know a good person that is willing to help." - Rod S.

  • "I first came to Ms. Jacquelyn Lutz of Appelhof, Pfeifer and Hart in October of 2016. It was definitely the worst time in my life and she compassionately spoke with me about my options. Ms. Lutz thoroughly explained the laws, statutes, process and what to expect going forward. What was supposed to be one case, turned into three intricate cases that took a huge toll on me and my family. Ms. Lutz represented me in court on all three cases with a vast knowledge of the laws and how to proceed accordingly. During all three cases she kept me informed, calm, gave me resources to utilize, and (most important) gave me a realistic view of what may come next. Ms. Lutz knew each case required a great deal of knowledge and creative thinking on how to legally proceed forward with each case. My family and friends are forever grateful for the amazing representation by Ms. Lutz. I highly recommend Ms. Lutz for anyone needing or considering superb representation for any kind of family law. " - M.H.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION


superlawyers
Contact us

Quick Contact Form