child support?

Question

I have to pay child support for my two kids and I am drowning because the amount of money that I make is not covering what I need to live. Does anyone know what to do in this situation. I thought about modifying my order but I dont think the courts are going to allow this. I have tried to get a second job and they have taken half of what I make which is still not enough to cover my expenses. Please anyone who knows a way. I dont want to not pay my child support but I do want to not stress about money anymore.

Answer 1

first, you can go back to court and ask for a review of the case (as to the amount). you call your caseworker and request it. todays courts dont go by a certain amount per child (as done years ago) but go by income amount of both parents (most states go by BOTH). all the court cares about is that the childs needs comes before ALL of us, period.

you could try and cut down the child support costs by babysitting, taking the children to activities, doctors, dentists, etc.

as for the child support being hard, it is hard. its hard on everyone; you, the ex, the child(ren).

you pay what? 400? 600? 900?

ok, lets see...
rent; 1000
electric 300
food 400-600
diapers 75-150 per month (fluctuates when baby is sick or teething)
heat 300
phone/cable 100
auto; (for doctors, dentists, take to school when they miss the bus, pick up when sick, pick up medicines, get food) 200
clothing/shoes/boots 200-400 every 2 to 3 months (seasonal and they grow)

that doesnt even include daycare, school supplies, hair cuts, class trips, class pictures, over the counter medicines, prescriptions, doctors, dentists, laundry det, dish det, cleaners, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, christmas, easter, tooth fairy, birthdays, etc. and sooo much more.

as you can see, its not easy for them either. hard is an understatement... but we all do the best that we can.

second job just to pay support is a good idea.

some links to help. some you have to click on your state, then find the section you need.

http://www.divorcelawinfo.com/states.htm
http://www.divorcehq.com/spprtgroups.html

http://www.divorceinfo.com/statebystate.htm
http://www.divorcenet.com/states
http://www.divorcesource.com/
http://www.divorcecentral.com/
http://www.divorcelawinfo.com/calculators.htm
http://www.helpyourselfdivorce.com/child-support-calculators.html
http://family.findlaw.com/
http://www.divorcehq.com/deadbeat.html
http://www.divorceinfo.com/
http://www.divorceinanutshell.com/

http://www.mowaa.org/
http://modestneeds.org/
http://freecycle.org/
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn.nsf
http://www.redcross.org/where/chapts.asp

Answer 2

i dont know where you are, but you might be able to work as a contractor or start your own business then your income is treated differently and it might be even better to go into business with someone else because then income is regarded as the business income not yours, plus if you work from home or have a room at home as an office you can use it as a tax deduction plus your phone and vehicle and clothing expenses. just something to think about.
i thought child support was normally calculated on how much you earn though? like as a percentage? maybe its different where you are.
another idea is to try to get half custody or full custody of you kids so then you would not pay any, or the other parent would pay you.

Answer 3

The courts don't give a crap about our situation. They expect us to pay what they say pay, and modify our lives to accomidate the lack of money.

So option 1, go get a second job.

Option 2 go find a cheaper place to live, cut out unnecessary bills, like cable, and highspeed internet or whatever is not necessary to get by with for now.

Option 3 Spend thousands in legal fees, fight her for sole custody and make her pay you child support.

Answer 4

Then you will have to look at cutting down your personal budget, or find a better job, cheaper place to live. As a single mom I have to say, no matter what gets paid it never seems like enough, I had one child and recieved 463 a month, that barely paid day care in a relatively low cost of living area (south texas). Kids are expensive, and they deserve everything you can give them. I'm not trying to come off as make the dad suffer, but the bottom line is the kids and moms everywhere do without and struggle even with childsupport.

Answer 5

Child support and custody are two different issues. Both have to be court ordered. Since your father was court ordered to pay child support to your mother, that's what he's doing. Since you mother was granted custody of you via another court order, you are living with her. If you want to live with your father, and your mother is not willing to allow you to do so, he would need to go back to court and petition that the original ruling giving your mother custody be overturned. In order for that to be successful, he would have to prove that living with your mother is a danger to your life and safety. So no, you saying you don't like your mom (as all children your age do sooner or later) is not going to make a judge overrule an existing custody order.

Answer 6

In California, there is no way they should be taking half.

But it does matter how much time you spend with your kids

Get more time give up less money. Or you can be like me, a person that no one wants problems with and get the child support dropped and see your kid, I am a unique case given my history in the court systems of Cali.

Answer 7

Sorry to say that your just gonna keep drowning. It happened to us for 18 years. Never changed. Everything is all about the custodial parent. Them, them, them, and never you. Doesn't matter what you have to pay or how you are going to live as long as they get their money. That is ALL that they count. Sorry.

Answer 8

Your only hope is to get an attorney to make a motion to modify the support and you have to prove your income isn't enough.

Answer 9

god it sucks , but your paying that amount because of what YOU or YOUR lawyer filed and the expences you have concered since , go back to court and re file and get a goood lawyed that knows whe he or she is doing , hope this helps

Answer 10

they only thing i know is to see if the courts will lower it for you really depends on where you live