Pennsylvania Child Support Attorneys

For many parents, one critical aspect of providing for their children in a divorce is receiving child support. That said, child support can also become a contentious issue, so it is important to have knowledgeable Pennsylvania child support attorneys who can help ensure the best interests of your child are protected. The legal team at Berman Voss is available to provide the proper guidance.

Why Hire Berman Voss?

Choosing the right legal team is the most important decision you will make for your family’s financial future. The child support attorneys at Berman Voss offer more than just legal advice; they provide a strategic advantage rooted in decades of local experience.

• Over 20 Years of Proven Results: Since 2001, the firm has built a reputation for excellence in Pennsylvania’s family courtrooms.
• Deep Local Roots: The lawyers of the firm have spent over two decades building professional relationships with judges and mediators in Berks and Lehigh counties.
• Elite Legal Recognition: The firm’s attorneys are widely respected by peers for high ethical standards and have been recognized as Super Lawyers®, a distinction held by only 5% of attorneys in the state.
• A Team-Driven Approach: The legal team at Berman Voss leverages the collective intelligence of all of its attorneys, each one of whom is dedicated to meticulous case preparation.

Many of the firm’s attorneys have 20+ years of experience at the negotiation table, allowing them to craft smart, results-driven strategies that often resolve disputes without the stress of a trial.

How The Firm Can Help

Understanding how Pennsylvania’s updated 2026 support guidelines will impact your divorce requires more than just a calculator; it requires a seasoned child support attorney experienced with how the law applies to your case. The attorneys at Berman Voss move beyond generic advice to provide targeted advocacy for parents in Wyomissing, Allentown, and throughout the region by:

• Accurately Calculating Net Income: Ensuring that all sources of income, including bonuses, commissions, and self-employment earnings, are properly identified and that all legal deductions are applied.
• Advocating for Deviations: Identifying factors that justify a departure from standard guidelines, such as high-cost extracurriculars or private school tuition.
• Navigating Custody Impact: Analyzing how your specific custody schedule (shared vs. primary) directly affects the support calculation.
• Handling Modifications: Filing formal petitions when a “substantial change in circumstances”—such as a job loss or a significant raise—requires an adjustment to an existing order.
• Representing You in Court: Providing zealous advocacy during domestic relations conferences and before judges to ensure your rights are protected.

The firm’s attorneys guide clients through each step of the child support process, no matter how numerous or complex the financial elements impacting the family.

Understanding Pennsylvania Child Support Laws

Child support laws in Pennsylvania are designed to ensure that children receive the financial support necessary for their well-being. These laws establish clear guidelines on how support is determined, who is responsible for payments, and how obligations are enforced. Under the Pennsylvania Support Guidelines (Rule 1910.16-1), the state utilizes an “Income Shares Model.” This model is based on the idea that a child should receive the same proportion of parental income that they would have received if the parents lived together. These calculations now account for modern cost-of-living adjustments and specific inflationary pressures on household necessities. Courts primarily rely on these state-mandated formulas, which calculate a “basic support obligation” based on the combined monthly net income of both parents, but they also have the discretion to deviate from standard calculations if specific circumstances – such as high income or unusual needs – warrant adjustments.

What Does Child Support Cover In Pennsylvania?

In the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, child support is ordered to help cover a broad range of child-related expenses, including the following:

• Food and shelter
• Clothing
• Child care expenses
• Health insurance and unreimbursed medical costs
• Basic education expenses
• Extracurricular activities

Typically, child support in Pennsylvania is ordered either until a child reaches the age of 18 or graduates high school. However, it may be extended past the age of 18 if the child has a disability or certain special needs.

How Is Child Support Calculated In Pennsylvania?

In most cases, child support is calculated using the Income Shares Model, which begins by determining each parent’s monthly net income. However, Pennsylvania law recognizes that child support is not a “one-size-fits-all” calculation. To ensure the support order is fair and serves the child’s best interests, the courts apply several additional factors:

• The Shared Custody Adjustment (The 40% Rule): If the parent obligated to pay support has the child for 40% or more of the overnights (at least 146 overnights per year), they are entitled to a specific reduction in their basic support obligation to account for the increased costs of providing a home and care.
• The Basic Support Schedule: Calculations start with the combined net income of both parents applied to the state’s Basic Child Support Schedule, which is reviewed every four years to reflect updated economic data.
• Health Insurance & Child Care: The cost of health insurance premiums for the child and reasonable work-related child care expenses are typically allocated between the parents in proportion to their respective net incomes.
• Discretionary Deviations for Private School: Private school tuition is not an automatic part of the formula. Under Rule 1910.16-5, a court may only deviate from the standard guidelines to include tuition if it is deemed a reasonable need based on the child’s educational history, the family’s prior standard of living, or the parents’ ability to pay.
• Support for Adult Children: While support generally ends at age 18 or high school graduation, it may be extended if a child is incapable of self-support due to a physical or mental disability that existed before the child reached the age of majority.

Ultimately, the goal of the court is to maintain the standard of living the child would have enjoyed had the parents remained together. If your financial circumstances or custody schedule undergoes a substantial change, our child support attorneys can assist you in filing a formal petition for modification to ensure the order remains accurate and equitable.

Enforcement Of Support Orders

If a parent is violating a legally binding child support order, Berman Voss can assist you in exercising your rights. Our lawyers can file a court action to enforce the order and represent you at enforcement hearings. If a parent is found in contempt of court, they may face consequences including:

• Wage garnishments and tax refund interception
• Lien attachments against property
• Suspension of driver’s or professional licenses
• Monetary fees or jail time

If you need a seasoned legal advocate to represent you with any child support matter, please contact the firm today.

Secure Your Family’s Financial Future Today

Don’t navigate the complexities of the Pennsylvania legal system alone. Whether you are establishing a new support order or need to enforce an existing one, the team at Berman Voss provides the sophisticated representation you deserve. The firm serves clients throughout Berks and Lehigh County from offices in Wyomissing and Allentown. Call (484) 960-8571 to make an appointment in either location. You may also use this messaging form to request your appointment.

Disclosure: This website offers general information and is not intended as formal legal advice. Do not rely on this general information for making legal decisions. Each legal situation is unique and requires personalized attention from a qualified attorney. The firm’s lawyers are not your legal representatives unless a formal representation agreement has been signed with Berman Voss.