Child Support Attorney/Lawyer for Fathers in NM

Are you a father that wants a child support attorney/lawyer for fathers (New Mexico)? If so, you have come to the right place.

First, it is always important to speak with experienced child support and custody attorney. Second, it is important to speak with an attorney that has battle-tested trial experience to understand NM law. Third, for some fathers, it is important to speak with an attorney that is also a father.

Matthew Legan Sanchez is an experienced child support attorney. Most importantly, Sanchez is also a father.

Let’s explore what you need to know about child support in New Mexico.

CALCULATING CHILD SUPPORT IN NEW MEXICO

In New Mexico, child support is calculated based on each parent’s:

Gross monthly income;
Timesharing;
Work-related daycare expenses;
Travel fees;
Extraordinary medical expenses.

By far, the most important factors are timesharing and gross monthly income. You see, fathers that have children less than 35% (about 128 days per year) fall under a Worksheet A. This Worksheet A results in a higher percentage of support. In other words, fathers that have their children less than 128 days per year pay more child support.

Next, support is significantly influenced by each parent’s gross monthly income. Therefore, big differences in income result in higher or lower child support payments.

For more information on child support, including FAQs, click HERE.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED INCOME FOR CHILD SUPPORT?

Under New Mexico law, income for child support purposes is very broad. According to NM law, income can from any source. Because of this fact, almost any income can be considered for child support purposes.

For more information on what is considered income, click HERE.

HOW UNEMPLOYMENT IMPACTS DIVORCE AND CHILD SUPPORT

Unemployment impacts a father’s child support case. As discussed, income and timesharing are the Twin Towers that heavily impact child support.

Unemployment usually does not impact timesharing. Regarding child support, however, an unemployed parent’s income can be calculated at minimum wage. Moreover, a father’s income most likely will be calculated at minimum wage, unless the father is primarily caring for a child under six.

With that said, an exception may occur if the father is receiving disability. If so, the father’s income will be based on the monthly disability received.

CAN MEN RECEIVE CHILD SUPPORT?

Yes. Men can and do receive child support. Like alimony, child support is not gender based. Fathers may receive child support when:

A child is primarily with father; or
Mother has a higher income.

HOW TO REQUEST FINANCIAL INFORMATION — CHILD SUPPORT ATTORNEY/LAWYER FOR FATHERS

Are you wondering how to request child support information from your ex? If so, has child support already been calculated? Alternatively, do you need to formally request support? Either way, for more information, click HERE.

SHOULD I FILE A MOTION TO MODIFY CHILD SUPPORT?

Are you considering filing a motion to modify child support? If so, do you have all the necessary information? If not, click on the link above, to uncover how to request financial information.

Next, was the existing child support order entered over one year ago? If not, under NM law the motion to modify must be filed at least one year after the existing support order was entered.

Has more than one year passed since the existing order was entered? If so, there needs to be a “material change in circumstances” to modify support. This means that your existing support needs to go up or down by 20%.

For example, let’s say your current support is $500 per month. In this situation, a change in all the child support factors need to increase/decrease support by $100 per month. Because of this fact, anything below $100 would not be enough to modify support.

Finally, it’s essential to understand that a motion to modify support can backfire. In other words, filing a motion to modify support does not guarantee that the support will go up or down in your favor. Accordingly, it is always important to request financial information before filing a motion to modify.

Do you have all the needed financial information? If so, you can access New Mexico’s child support calculator, by clicking HERE.

Finally, it is also important to consider if child support ends automatically. At times, you must file a motion to terminate child support.