Lower Child Support Payments

[tigress_babe]

The Prince's Georges County Courthouse in Maryland awarded my friends wife (seperated) with $1042.00 a month in child support. He had his daughter added to his benefits and she refused his benefits in order to get a higher dollar value.


We know for a fact that she would use the money for that purpose because whenever the child comes over she has a body odor and her hair is never combed nor shampooed.

My friend bought her a vehicle which she took when she was leaving but returned it with a months payment owing. My friend sold it and has had to take out a loan for $8000 to pay the difference.

He had initially set up an account for child support giving her $800 a month but the bank statements showed that she withdrew money from a Casino in the Bahamas twice.

My friend also has his own bills to pay mortgate, car note and the loans that he had to take as a result of her.
In light of this is there anyway that my friend could seek to get his child support payments lowered? He has a court hearing in January before a judge.

 

[ILoveMY3]

PG county is rough when it comes Child Support. One way to shoot for lower payments is to get joint custody. But it seems like since ya'll have proof that she's been spending money on things other than the child, then he should be able file for some kind of motion to modify the support order or have an ordered issued that allows him to do things for the child(food, clothes) that the money is supposed to do.

Also, it seems like from the situation, that he may have went to the settlement and not actually seen the judge. From my experience, it's been better to see the judge cause those folks at the settlement division don't know what the hell they're doing.

There's no guarantee on my suggestions, but that's what I can tell you based on my experience.

 

[tigress_babe]

Thank you for your repsonse. I think that my biggest question is if it is advised that my friend attend the hearing with the judge with legal representation?

Or would it be better if he presented the case for himself which suggests that he does not have anything to hide.

I am also considering the fact that the childs mother showed up at the Child Support Mediation with her lawyer present who did all of the talking for her.

 

[ILoveMY3]

If she had a lawyer, then it might be worth it for him to have one also. I really can't speak on that cause I didn't have a lawyer and I've never got any feedback from someone that has used a lawyer for Child Support. But if he plans to take items as evidence other than his pay stubs, then I would be safe and have a lawyer - especially if he plans to present those receipts that he got from when she was in the bahamas.

 

[tigress_babe]

I guess that the only reason that she would need a lawyer is because she has something to hide. However I am looking for recommendations for a good lawyer who would be able to ensure that my friend does not get screwed by the system or this woman.

Someone who comes highly recommended and is specialized in cases like this.

Maryland or DC area.