I'm currently 5 months pregnant. The father and I are going to "try" to settle child support out of court. He won't be coming down for the birth, and will make it down a few weeks later. We're hopefully having a DNA test done is seperate states to get that taken care of. He says once he has the results and signs our "agreement" that he will cover her insurance, but that his insurance needs a copy of the birth cert. w/ his signature! At the earliest, he can put her on at 6-8 weeks. When is the first appt and what should I do? Is settling child support out of court a bad idea? I thought it would speed up the process, esp. if we can agree on a number, and if he doesn't stick to it, then take him to court? Thanks!
2007-04-17 12:27:15 · 16 answers · asked by lindzlou 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
The first doctor's appointment is generally 10-14 days after the baby is born. But don't forget about all the bills the baby will rack up just being in the hospital (ours were $1166). Since your in different states you're going to want a chain of custody DNA test. That ensures that no one can switch any of the DNA before it is tested (i.e. he has a friend go get swabbed instead of him so it says he's not the dad). Our insurance retroactively paid all of the baby's bills to the day she was born after we added her--but we only had 30 days to add her for that to happen. Most likely what you'll want to do is have your insurance cover the baby for the first couple of months, then switch him/her over to the dad's.
As far as setting up child support out of court I wouldn't highly recommend it. The court will make sure that the correct amount is set (studies have shown that when people settle it between themselves out of court they virtually always settle on a number that's lower than a court would order). And child support is not about just settling on a number, there's a mathmatical formula that's applied which takes in a number of factors. You can see your state's formula by searching for "{your state} child support calculator." And while agreeing on a number may seem to initially speed up the process, you'll be further behind later if he doesn't stick to it. If he's willing to deal in good faith, then he can pay an agreed to amount for the first few months until a court order comes through and if he's paid to much you can send him a refund on the overage.
2007-04-17 12:41:43 · answer #1 · answered by Heather Y 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll probably wind up seeing the Dr. in the first few days, again at 2 wks, and maybe at 4. That's if everything is normal!
Settling out of court is probably the WORST IDEA EVER!!! The reason why is because there is no established legal custody-even if you type up an agreement & have it notarized, it doesn't amount to a hill of beans in the event of a disagreement. I learned that the hard way with my son- we had a personal agreement signed by both of us & notarized. When he fell behind on support, the back amount owed was not enforceable by the court ( i had to sue seperately in small claims-i won judgement, but never got the $$$). The worst thing though was that once he had my son for a weekend visit, and herefused to return him to me. The court had no power to force him to return my son because the court had never established custody & visitation orders, we just had our personal agreement. It was nearly 7 wks before I got him back. What you should do is negotiate custody, visitation, & childsupport, and then present it to the FOC so that they can enforce the agreement. They like it when the two of you reach your own agreements.
Good luck.
2007-04-17 14:40:30 · answer #2 · answered by lee_anne301 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, settling the child support with the courts is a great thing and he can face jail time if he doesn't follow the judges orders....the baby will have his/her firtst appointment at about a week old or so. How can he sign the birth cert. if he is not sure he is the father? Anyway, good luck to you and the baby and I pray that everything works out for you. God Bless!
2007-04-17 12:35:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Girl, whatever you do ,do not settle out of court. I been threw the same thing w/ my daughter the few extra weeks it takes is worth it in the end. If you dont go to court and he wants to be a jerk he just doesnt pay, if you at least go to court and have something written up he either pays or sits his butt in jail. In the meantime if you have state assistance insurance ,if your covered the baby is covered. I think her first appointment was a week or 2 after she was born. Even if you got to pay cash it shouldnt be much, keep a reciept of the bills and give them to the babies father . But dont let him off that easy by settling outside of court,They go by his pay and what he makes and w/ being a single mom and having a new baby you will need every penny to take care of your little one. Good Luck!!
2007-04-17 12:35:39 · answer #4 · answered by Robin M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's ridiculous! But, to answer your question the baby will be visited in the hospital by her pediatrician. Then, if everything is ok, I think they usually have you bring the baby in about a week or two after birth for a checkup. You will just have to submit the bills to the insurance later. Just explain it to the doctor's office, and they may ask you to pay up front, and then you can get reimbursed by the insurance company later.
2007-04-17 12:32:34 · answer #5 · answered by purplebinky 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is likely a clerical error. Send the remaining $50 with a copy of the receipt for your previous payment. You can also write a note that you were quoted $175, paid $125, and have enclosed the balance owed. Doctors are expensive. They have to pay for rent and utilities, salaries for staff, supplies, and the doctor's salary. I don't think you were ripped off.
2016-05-17 21:09:39 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first so sorry but you seem so strong!!! but when you have the baby her first appt should be in a week when you leave the hospital. then with the child support make sure you get everything in writing!!! and make copies and give on to a close friend to hold on to. also get a witness....then if he dosent pay take his *** to court!!!! its very expensive to raise a baby alone.....and the insurance he can add her when you have her...find out what insurance he has and call them and ask them when can he add her.....there all different...she is covered for the first 30days.....
good luck
2007-04-17 17:20:48 · answer #7 · answered by eASt_OaKLAnD's_500_FiNEsT_ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't settle out of court, YOU NEED TO DO THIS IN COURT. Most insurance company's have a time limit when they need the paper work so you need to do this quickly. But to answer your question when I had my two kids in Arizona the hospital had me come back in 2-3 days for a quick check-up because they both had jaundice. Then in 2 weeks we seen their pediatrician.
2007-04-17 12:49:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A newborns first doctors app. is usually a week after they are born. Maybe going to court would be better if out of court is going to take so long. Just do the court thing and stick it out that ways you have the law on your side. If you dont go to court he can always back out of what he agreed on. Best of luck & God Bless you & your bambino!
2007-04-17 12:32:57 · answer #9 · answered by jenne4l 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What a joke! But it's 2 weeks old that you take your baby to the doctor. You can always just pay for the doctors visit. It's never over $200
Well im sorry that you have to go through all this. Good Luck
2007-04-17 12:41:43 · answer #10 · answered by I love my kids! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋