It used to be that, when it came to determine child support, the courts would grant custody to the mother and assign child support payments to the father.

That is no longer the case, say attorneys at Hull & Zimmerman, a long-standing Colorado-based firm. More and more mothers are being assigned payments, with fathers being granted custody.

The four key factors involved are how much money each parent makes, how many overnight visits they're awarded, the amount of daycare the child requires, and the cost of the child's health insurance.

If the parents agree on the custody and support payments, an attorney may not be necessary. However, if there is a dispute between the two parties, it then becomes necessary to hire legal representation.

According to Hull & Zimmerman, a well-qualified attorney can help you do three things:

1) Obtain child support payments

This can include determining paternity. It can involve tracking down a delinquent father and administering paternity tests. Once paternity is determined, an attorney can help you go to court and seek support payments.

2) Collect on established payments

Once the court determines which parent owes what amount, it does not, unfortunately, mean that the parent will always pay that amount. Sometimes payments are short, late or missing entirely. An attorney can help you get what you, and your child, deserve. There are many options - from the garnishment of wages to more serious consequences, such as an arrest warrant.

3) Changing support payment amounts

Sometimes life situations dictate an increase or a decrease in child support payments. For instance, if your child becomes seriously ill, you might need to seek an increase. An attorney can help you do that.