Child Support

How to Address Matters of Child Support

The law indicates that both parents must provide financial support to their minor child. While the custodial parent provides that support directly, the non-custodial parent may be required to make child support payments in order to cover their fair share of the costs of raising the child.

At the law firm of Surovell Isaacs Petersen & Levy in Fairfax, Virginia, our experienced attorneys are able to work with you to see that your child receives the appropriate amount of support. While the state's statutory child support guidelines are the primary determinant of what level of child support will be required, there are exceptions and questions of characterization that make having an effective attorney a wise decision.

Deviations from the Child Support Guidelines

More often than not, following the child support guidelines is an effective way to see that child support is addressed in a fair manner. These guidelines are based on the combined gross incomes of the parents, giving consideration to the costs of child care, health care coverage and other unique expenses that may be required.

Deviations may become necessary when there is conflicting information about the income of one of the parents. This often happens when a parent owns their own business. For example, for business owners, many things can be written off for tax purposes that should be added back in when determining child support. Our experienced lawyers are able to address these complex situations.

Changes to Child Support

Life changes, including job loss or salary increases, may require modifications to child support. Until a child is emancipated, the amount of support is subject to review and modification. Our attorneys can assist with modifications based on any sort of financial life change.

Schedule a Consultation About Your Case

Call us at 703-648-8279 or send us an e-mail to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced Fairfax child support attorneys. Members of our team have more than three decades of experience handling these family law matters and have been recognized by inclusion in Best Lawyers in America and Washingtonian magazine's top divorce lawyers.

• SCOTT SUROVELL for being named one of the TOP LAWYERS 2012 for DUI/DWI and Personal Injury by Northern Virginia Magazine.
• DOROTHY M. ISAACS for being named as one of the Influential Woman of Virginia 2012 by Virginia Lawyers Weekly.
• DOROTHY M. ISAACS for being named one of the Top 50 Women Virginia Super Lawyers for 2012.
• ROBERT J. SUROVELL for being named in Best Lawyers in America this year for Personal Injury representation and for the 25th time in Family Law representation.
• DOROTHY M. ISAACS for being named in Best Lawyers in America for the 5th time in Family Law representation.

• Case results depend upon a variety of factors unique to each case and do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any future case undertaken by the lawyer.
• $12,000,000 Judgment relating to fraudulent investment scheme.
• $4,800,000 Fairfax County Jury verdict against fireworks company for negligent production of commercial fireworks display resulting in catastrophic injuries.
• $3,600,000 Fairfax County jury verdict in favor of firefighter who suffered permanent disabling injuries.
• $3,500,000 Settlement of head-on collision resulting in severe orthopedic injuries and brain injuries to Ph.D candidate.
• $2,000,000 Value of rescission awarded to purchaser due to luxury developer's violation of Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act.
• $1,150,000 Settlement of case involving brain injury to passenger riding in commuter van on I-395.
• $1,100,000 Judgment awarded against husband who obtained multiple mortgages on joint property without wife's consent.
• $1,150,000 Settlement of case involving amputation of arm following negligence.
• $980,000 Settlement of case involving brain injury to 13 year-old child.
• $950,000 Settlement of case involving misdiagnosis of child abuse instead of osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease).
• $834,000 Jury verdict against a notorious foreclosure rescue scammer for violations of Virginia Consumer Protection Act, Virginia Credit Counseling Act,  and fraud.
• $750,000 Back injury from car accident.
• $700,000 Jury verdict for fraud arising from sale of securities in bogus Montana mining venture.
• $650,000 Settlement of medical malpractice matter.
• $480,000 Settlement of wrongful death case involving health care neglect in prison.
• $454,000 Class action settlement against law firm for violations of the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act- total settlement amount in excess of $454,000 (pending final approval)
• $450,000 Settlement of death of child who drowned in pool.
• $330,000 Judgment awarded to tenant for inventory damage from defects in shopping mall roof.  Affirmed by Supreme Court of Virginia.
• $300,000 Judgment awarded to daughter whose mother was killed by step-father who attempted to seek his deceased wife's life insurance proceeds.
• $300,000 Car accident involving collision with delivery truck and compound arm fracture.
• $290,000 Car accident involving injury to passenger's face.
• $175,000 Settlement for property damage and business losses for damage to printing press during moving.
• $175,000 Back injuries to driver struck by drunk driver.
• $135,000 Settlement for failure to supervise bookkeeper, negligent processing of checks by bank, and embezzlement.
• $82,000 SIPL Defense verdict that ultimately led to award of $82,000 sanctions against Plaintiff.
• Defense Verdict SIPL Defense verdict in car-tanker truck collision seeking over $1,000,000
• Class action settlement against First Tennessee Bank for violations of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act