Birmingham Child Support Lawyers
Confidently Guiding Families to Successful Resolutions Through a Complex Legal System

The cost of raising and supporting children increases with each passing year. The United States Department of Agriculture's annual report estimates that the yearly cost of raising children ranges from $12,600 to $14,700. A divorce can lead to increased childcare costs and expenses. At Brad Green Law, we understand the financial burdens you face. We work diligently to help you get a fair and reasonable child support order.

How to Establish a Child Support Order That Works for Your Family

The easiest way to establish a child support order is through a mutual and voluntary agreement between the parents. Specific guidelines in Alabama govern child custody orders. Noncustodial parents are typically responsible for child support payments. Alabama uses a child support worksheet to calculate appropriate child support. If the paying parent agrees to the amount specified under these guidelines, the court will approve and file the agreement. Child support payments usually continue until the child reaches the age of majority. In Alabama, the age of majority is 19. Post-minority support may be ordered to cover a child's continuing education costs or medical expenses if the child is disabled or disabled.

Alabama law requires medical support to be included in any child support order. If insurance is not available at a reasonable price, medical support can be provided through health insurance or cash medical support.

Seek Legal Guidance for Enforcing and Modifying Child Support Orders

The state of Alabama has several methods of enforcing existing child support orders. Income withholding is typically the most effective means of enforcement. Support payments can be automatically deducted from the following:

  • Paychecks
  • Unemployment
  • Workers' compensation
  • Retirement payments

A delinquent parent may also be found in civil contempt, have their driver's license suspended, and possibly face jail time if they fall more than 30 days behind in payments or do not comply with medical support requirements. Consult a qualified family law and divorce attorney for help getting your owed support.


Existing child support orders may be modified if circumstances change materially. Typically, the court modifies an order if it no longer adequately meets the child's needs or if one or both parents' financial status changes.

Contact a Firm That Offers Reliable Child Support Representation Throughout Alabama

Raising a child requires significant financial resources. At Brad Green Law, our attorneys are committed to working with families to establish, enforce, and modify child support orders, and we focus on fairness. We're available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can also meet with you by appointment after office hours. Contact us online or at 205-937-3687 to discuss your case with one of our attorneys or staff members.

Birmingham Child Custody Lawyers

Depend on Our Firm for Vigorous, Client-Focused Representation for Your Family


Child custody disputes can be stressful for both you and your children. At Brad Green Law, we take the time to listen to your specific needs and concerns and to tailor our representation to suit your family's unique situation. Your child's best interests are the court's and our attorneys' primary focus.

Child Custody Orders Vary, Depending on Your Family's Circumstances

In any situation that involves minor children, whether biological or adopted, the court will establish a child custody order according to the children's best interests. Child custody orders are broken down into the following categories:

  • Legal custody — The parent with legal custody makes all the major decisions concerning a child's health, education, religion, and welfare.
  • Joint legal custody—If the court orders joint legal custody, each parent makes all critical decisions about a child.
  • Physical custody — Physical custody orders refer to where a child lives and their daily routine.
  • Joint physical custody — In some situations, the court may allow a child to live with each parent equally, and each parent participates in making daily decisions.

Typically, the noncustodial parent is also required to pay child support. Child custody orders often include provisions that address potential relocation by the custodial parent. If the custodial parent wants to move, the court will assess the child's best interests again. It may modify the custody order to provide continued parenting time and visitation for the noncustodial parent.

Factors That Influence a Court's Custody Decision

Under Alabama family law, there is a rebuttable presumption that joint custody is in a child's best interests. When making a child custody determination during the divorce process, the court considers several factors, including but not limited to:

The age and gender of the child

The child's safety and general well-being

Each parent's willingness to cooperate and communicate with each other

Each parent's ability and capacity to provide moral, emotional, social, financial, and educational support for the child

Each parent's age, character, and mental and physical health

Each parent's relationship with the child

The respective living situation of each parent

If a child has reached sufficient maturity and age, the court may also consider a child's personal preferences. In cases with a history of domestic abuse, there is a presumption against granting custody to the abusive parent.

Contact Us to Put Your Child's Best Interests First and Develop a Practical, Beneficial Custody Arrangement

Custody disputes can lead to contentious and lengthy litigation. At Brad Green Law, we handle your case efficiently and strive to achieve your desired results. We serve clients throughout Alabama from our Birmingham and Blount County offices. Call us at 205-937-3687 or contact us online to discuss your case today.

Have an issue? Let us handle it – call 205-937-3687 for prompt service.

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