On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Paternity/Child Support on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.
Missouri parents who work hard to support their children may have celebrated the recent news that the state voted to increase minimum wage for workers. Many households, especially single-parent homes, are struggling financially. A parent may find it difficult to cover all the expenses necessary to provide a stable home for his or her children. In many situations, it is imperative to make sure child support payments are collected in a timely fashion.
New laws recently went into effect to raise the minimum wage from $7.85 to $8.60. While certainly this sounds like terrific news, families are not likely to have “extra” money. Inflation on the cost of goods like food, clothing and housing costs continues to increase. Even though a parent may be paid more, living costs more.
A reputable study indicates that, in order to merely survive, two parents with one child to care for need to make over $12.00 per hour each. This means that a single parent with one child working a minimum wage job is usually unable to provide food, clothing and shelter. In cases where more than one child lives in the home, the outlook can seem daunting.
Missouri parents should keep in mind that, in order to best care for their children, they have the right to file, modify and enforce a child support order. The financial burden of raising a child is legally shared between both biological parents and backed by a court order. A parent interested in ensuring that his or her child’s financial needs are covered can contact an experienced attorney. An attorney can walk a client through the court process and help make sure that any child involved is provided for in accordance with the law.
