Can You Change Your Career While Paying for Child Support
In today's economy, many workers find themselves in dead-end jobs. These jobs offer little in the way of career advancement or job satisfaction. Often, workers in dead-end jobs are stuck in low-paying positions with little opportunity for raises or promotions. This situation can be a burden especially if you need to pay child support.
Many parents find themselves in this situation and wonder what to do. A few options are available to you, and the best choice will depend on your circumstances. So, it is prudent to tap into the expertise of seasoned family lawyers.
Career Moves Should Be Reasonable
As a working parent, keeping your career moves reasonable is essential. After all, if you make a significant change that significantly reduces your income, you could end up owing child support. That is what happened to one Alberta man, who was recently ordered to pay child support after his ex-wife successfully argued that he should have been earning more than he was.
The man, who cannot be named, had been working as a truck driver when the couple separated in 2013. He later switched to a lower-paying job as a construction worker.
His ex-wife argued that he should have stayed in his truck-driving job, which paid significantly more than his new job. She also asserted that he could have taken other steps to increase his income, such as working overtime. The court agreed with her and ordered the man to pay child support based on his previous income. It is known as "imputing income."
While paying child support based on an income you no longer earn may seem unfair, it is necessary to remember that career moves must be reasonable. If you make a significant change that significantly reduces your income, you could repay child support. So, it is prudent to consult family lawyers about such a shift.
What Is Considered a Reasonable Career Change?
There are several things to consider when changing careers, and one of the most important is how it will affect your child support obligations. Before making any decisions, you must speak with family lawyers in Medicine Hat to ensure you understand all of the implications of your new career.
One of the critical factors that will be considered is the earning potential of your new career. If you are switching to a lower-paying job, it does not necessarily follow that your child support payments will be reduced. Authorities will remind you that your personal ambitions should stay within your ability to support your children financially.
Another critical factor is how much time you will spend at work. If you are changing careers to one that requires more hours, your payments may be increased to compensate for the time your children will be spending without you.
Conclusion
Ultimately, whether or not to change careers is a personal decision. However, keeping the potential impact on your child support obligations is vital before making any decisions. By speaking with a family law attorney, you can ensure that you understand all of the implications of your new career and make the best decision for your family.
Before you make any changes that will affect your ability to support your children financially, you should consult reputable family lawyers in Medicine Hat. There is no better team to help you than Hamilton Cahoon. We will deal with your concerns with compassion and tested legal expertise. Schedule a consultation now!