How long does the child support process take?

Question

I'm currently pregnant and the father and I live in two different states.We were 'talking' about settling out of court because he's 50K in student loan debt.We both make the same amount of money.He won't be coming down for the birth and will only make it here a few weeks later.We were also planning to do DNA testing through a private comp in the 2 states.I'm having second thoughts.Would settling out of court give me the best results or would going through court in Georgia??How much should I expect?As it stands,he would cover insurance and pay maybe $400-$500 per month.However,his insurance requires a signed birth certificate,so it won't cover her until 6+ weeks...I'm confused about which option to choose.

I do have insurance through my work. However, if I add her, it will go up $300 per month, and I will not be able to afford that. I'm afraid of losing so much money by going to court. We will still be doing the DNA tested independently, so I will have the paperwork to prove he is the father, and the "plan" is for him to sign a paternity affidavit....

Answer 1

My first thought on getting the child support legalized is this: It seems that you two are fairly amicable at this point. So getting everything through the court right now (well, as soon as baby is born) would not be a bitter thing on your part. You're just doing your best to make sure that your child is adequately and regularly taken care of by both parents. Why wait until things get bad between you two and then add a lawsuit to everything. If you're both willing to get things settled, then it will be a relatively quick and painless procedure. If he doesn't want to give you anything until paternity is legally established, then ask if he'd be willing to put the estimated amount of money that he is going to be paying into a bank account so that there won't be a huge bill of back support that he can't afford when the judgment comes through.

Answer 2

The easiest solution is to go to the nearest State child support agency nearest you. Usually it is in the same department as Health and Welfare in your state. They can obtain an order for child support and medical support.

If you do not want to become a "welfare" case, you can still apply for just a child support. Just fill out a child support application and pay a fee (usually around 25.00). They can obtain an order and do genetic testing for you (usually at no additional cost to you). Private genetic testing may cost you anywhere from $300.00-$600.00. Privately hiring an attorney to obtain an order and do testing and all of that will cost you anywhere from $2000.00-$5000.00. The good thing about going thru an attorney is that it may take 3-6 months to get the order established, while it may take 6 months to a year for your local child support agency to get an order for you.

Once the order is established you can choose whether or not to have it enforced (if you have a mediaid, foodstamp, cash assitance case open with health and welfare in your state, more than likely you will not have that option). If you and the father are on good terms with each other you could have him pay directly to you, but more realistically you would want him to pay thru the child support agency so that he would receive credit for all payments that he makes.

Once the order is established stating that dad is the father of the child, the courts will send the order to your the vital statistics office in your state to have the fathers name on the childs birth certificate. This will help him obtain insurance for the child in the future, and later on if the dad goes on social security.

Answer 3

It sounds as if you and your baby's father have it all worked out. There is no need for a court order if you and he have agreed that's what you're going to do and you trust that he's good for it.

I would suggest you do the DNA testing for your own protection in the future just in case somewhere down the road, communications turn sour between you two but for right now, what you've got going for you is pretty darn good.

As far as legal child support goes, unless you were married when you got pregnant with this child, he doesn't have a legal responsibility to take care of your child. A moral responsibility, yes, but not a legal one. If every woman who had a man bail on her had the right to legal child support, the legal system would be overloaded and there would be no such thing as welfare or WIC (women with infants and children) programs.

Good luck with your upcoming bundle of joy and congratulations!

Answer 4

It varies on your situation. record the workplace paintings ASAP and be positive you've the toddler help funds processed via DOR (branch of sales) this facilitates that you need to have guaranteed funds, record of all funds made and also you do not could bypass via the concern of monitoring him down for a examine or filing workplace paintings with the courtroom at a later date if he's in the back of in funds. it truly is way swifter if he's employed legitimately, if no longer you maximum possibly received't get something. My sister hasn't gotten help from her ex for the most suitable 10years, he continuously works lower than the table and the device is undesirable at imposing toddler help orders. sturdy success

Answer 5

You should ALWAYS make child support a COURT ORDER.
That way, if he doesn't pay, you can take him to court.

You should cover the child with insurance, until the father's kicks in. You should have insurance at the time of delivery.
Delivery can cost 8,000 dollars. And, YOU will be responsible for it.

Answer 6

go to court and get it in writing...that way he can't back out and say, it's not mine and you can't prove it...or anything else...for important things always get a lawyer and go to court..(it saves everyone time, money and headaches later..)