Child Support Lawyer in Philadelphia
Strategic Guidance To Protect Your Rights & Your Child’s Future
Smart strategy for lasting peace of mind.
Helping Parents Secure the Support Their Children Need
Child support is about protecting your child’s future and securing a fair, sustainable arrangement for both parents.
If you need a child support lawyer in Philadelphia for a new order, modification, or missed payments, Schwartz, Fox & Saltzman provides focused legal guidance tailored to your family’s situation.
With over 40 years of family law experience, we understand how Pennsylvania support laws are applied in Philadelphia courts and use that insight to protect your rights and your child’s best interests.
Schedule a consultation today.
“I highly recommend them as they are dedicated to fighting for the rights of parents.” What Our Clients Are Saying
Child Support Starts With Your Child’s Needs
When parents separate, the cost of raising a child should not fall on one parent alone. Child support helps make sure your child has the resources they need for daily care, stability, and well-being.
In Philadelphia, both parents are generally expected to contribute once they are no longer living together, even before a divorce or custody case is finalized.
In most cases, child support lasts until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever happens later. It may end sooner or continue longer depending on the circumstances and the court order.
At Schwartz, Fox & Saltzman, we help parents understand how support is calculated, what local courts may consider, and what options they have if circumstances change.
When Child Support May Become Part of Your Case
Child support may come up during many different family law matters, including:
- Divorce
- Custody dispute
- Separation
- Support case involving unmarried parents
For unmarried parents, paternity may need to be established before the court can order child support.
How Is Child Support Calculated in PA?
Child support in Philadelphia is based on the Pennsylvania Support Guidelines. The court looks at each parent’s monthly net income, the number of children involved, and the custody schedule.
The final amount may also be affected by:
- Income, bonuses, commissions, and business income
- Health insurance and medical support
- Child care costs
- Educational costs
- Custody schedule and parenting time
- Taxes, spousal support, and other financial obligations
In some cases, the calculation is not as simple as plugging numbers into a formula. This is especially true when a parent owns a business, earns irregular income, receives bonuses or commissions, or may be underreporting income.
In higher-income cases, the court may have more flexibility and consider the child’s needs and the family’s standard of living before separation.
Guidance From Our Child Support Lawyers
What Happens After You File for Child Support?
Most child support cases follow a structured path from the initial filing to a final court order. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared before the process begins.
Here’s how the process often works:
- Filing the Child Support Complaint: One parent files a support complaint to start the case.
- Child Support Conference: In Philadelphia, many cases begin with the Family Court’s Domestic Relations Section. During the child support conference, both parents provide income, expense, and custody information.
- Calculation Under State Guidelines: Child support is calculated using both parents’ net monthly income, parenting time, and eligible expenses.
- Support Hearing (If Needed): If parents cannot agree, a judge reviews the evidence and decides the support amount.
- Final Order of Support: The court enters an order outlining payment amounts, timing, and any additional obligations.
- Enforcement or Modifications: If payments are missed or circumstances change, the court can enforce or modify the order.
Modifying or Enforcing a Child Support Order
A support order may need to change as your family’s circumstances change. In Philadelphia, parents can request a modification when there is a valid reason to review the existing order.
Common reasons to modify a child support order include:
- Job loss, income changes, bonuses, or new employment
- Changes in the custody schedule or parenting time
- Medical emergencies, disability, or new child-related expenses
- The addition of new children
- Changes in state law or guideline calculations
- Periodic review of an existing order
If the other parent is not paying, the court can also take steps to enforce the order and address back-owed support.
At Schwartz, Fox & Saltzman, we help parents request changes, respond to modification petitions, and pursue enforcement when payments are missed.
Why Families Turn to Schwartz, Fox & Saltzman
When your child’s financial stability is at stake, you need a team that understands both the numbers and the legal strategy behind them.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- 40+ collective years in family law handling complex support and parenting matters
- Strategic advocacy rooted in preparation for conferences, hearings, and negotiations
- Deep knowledge of Pennsylvania support law for modifications, enforcement, and deviations
- Full-service family law guidance across divorce, custody, support, mediation, and more
- Clear communication from start to finish so you always understand your next step
Whether you’re filing, responding, modifying, or enforcing an order, our Philadelphia child support lawyers help protect your rights and your child’s needs.
Serving Families Across Philadelphia and the Surrounding Counties
- Ardmore
- Bala Cynwyd
- Bryn Mawr
- Bucks County
- Center City
- Chestnut Hill
- Delaware County
- Haverford
- Manayunk & Roxborough
- Merion Station
- Montgomery County
- Narberth
- North Philadelphia
- Northeast Philadelphia
- South Philadelphia
- Villanova
- West Philadelphia
- Wynnewood
What Parents Ask Most About Child Support
Is it worth getting a lawyer for child support cases?
Yes, especially if your case involves high income, self-employment, disputed custody, or unpaid support. A child support lawyer can help you calculate the right amount, file for modifications, or take action to enforce an existing order. Even in less complex cases, legal guidance ensures your rights and your child’s needs are fully protected.
What happens if child support is not paid?
If child support is not paid, the court may take enforcement action to collect overdue support. Courts may enforce unpaid child support through wage garnishment, license suspension, or other court-ordered remedies, depending on the circumstances.
What questions should I ask my lawyer about child support?
You should ask how your income and custody situation will affect the support amount, whether you qualify for a modification, and what enforcement options are available if payments are missed. It is also helpful to ask about what documentation to gather, how long the process may take, and when support is expected to end under your specific circumstances.
Can you appeal a child support order in Pennsylvania?
Yes, you may appeal a child support order if you believe the court made an error or did not consider important information. Appeals and requests for reconsideration are time-sensitive and must follow specific court procedures, so it’s important to act quickly and consult an attorney familiar with Pennsylvania family law.
Child Support Is Personal. Work With an Attorney Who Listens.
Whether you need to establish a support order, update an existing agreement, or enforce unpaid child support, the child custody and support lawyers at Schwartz, Fox & Saltzman are here to help.
Our attorneys represent parents throughout Philadelphia County and understand how local court procedures can impact the outcome of a case.
We combine decades of experience with a personalized approach to protect your rights and your child’s financial future.
Schedule a confidential consultation and get the guidance you need to move forward with clarity and confidence.