Child Support

raeah219

My childs father and I arent married. We are breaking up and I will have our one year old son. He has a daughter from a previous relationship that he pays $600/month for. He makes 2500-3000 per month depending on his commission check. The $600 he already pays for his daughter is a strain on him so I dont want to burden him by asking for a lot but I really need his help. I was going to ask him to just give me 350/month but that will only cover half our sons daycare cost, which leaves me with the burden of paying for all our sons other living expenses on my own. I doubt that I would get much more if I file for child support since he already pays $600 for his other child. I dont know what U should do. Does anybody have any advice or experience with child support. Also, I know the laws vary from state to state, Im in GA if that matters at all. 

DreadLoc

i know that when i filed for support, i was given a chart that showed the range of child support depending on income and number of children.  it wouldn't hurt to go to the court and ask a few questions.

you need to open the lines of communication about this with him now.  tell him that you need help with daycare and see where he goes from there.

RondackHiker

Another vote for going though the courts. It stinks that it may be a burden on him... But why should it be more of a burden on you?

littlestjerry

PrivacyWanted said:

I would go to court and get a formal order for two reasons (1) it opens up enforcement options for you. If he's already struggling to pay the $600, I'm guessing he probably will have lots of times he just can't pay what you agreed on, without an order. And (2) the court will have a calculator that figures out exactly what he should be paying , which takes the "how much" burden off you

Seconded. The court will do the work for you in terms of figuring out what he owes and getting the money out of him if he stops paying.

martha919

Go to court. DH pays 28% (2 kids) plus provides insurance, half of medical expenses over $100, half of activity fees, he paid half of preschool when SS was younger, etc. We're in IL, so it could be way different, but it's definitely neatest in the long run to go to court.

raeah219

@martha919 so childcare expenses are separate from child support? So your husband pays 28% and that doesnt include all that other stuff you mentioned? Im trying to understand if I would get childsupport and have to use that pay for daycare or if I would get childsupport in addition to a percentage of the daycare costs. 

angelashly

Go to court. He doesn't get out of helping just because he had another baby before you met that he supports. Also without an order I see him not having the money to give you and there would be nothing that you could do about it.

martha919

I don't know how it works specifically for daycare in your state, but yes, he pays for a ton of things seperate from the child support check. Apparently in Illinois, the child support part is for food, clothing, and shelter, essentially. Pretty much everything else he pays for part of. Some things are at his discretion, like activity fees, but he is required to provide medical insurance and have a life insurance policy for the kids, which ex-wife is not allowed to touch. But like I said, it could be completely different where you are. Our friend in PA just had to pay a flat rate based on his income bracket and that was the whole kit and caboodle.

WillieNelsonsGardener

I agree with all of the pp's who recommended getting something official put in place. There is no way to tell where your coparenting relationship will be in the future and having an official agreement done sooner rather then later will be beneficial, especially because you will also be dealing with a visitation schedule.

In TX, child support is based on a percentage of income, for 1 child it is 20%. The payments go through a disbursement unit so there is an official record of payments (or lack of). Any other expenses, like health insurance premiums, copays, child care, education, etc are negotiated separately.

raeah219

If I cant afford an attorney should I go ahead and file for child support anyway?

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raeah219

You guys have helped me so much. Thank you so much

missyishere

The court house is typically very helpful and supportive when it comes to answering questions on what forms you best need to fill out for your needs.  You can also find your states legal aid hotline, and they be able to direct you further as well.