Probably a simple question

[JustaFriendinTN]

What is the name of your state? TN

This is probably a simple question. My ex and I have a child together and we are still friends. He would like to go ahead and get it in the system that he is paying support. We have agreed to an amount that would be less than the state guidelines but how do we go about drawing up the documents and getting it on record with the court without having to actually go through the court and through lawyers.

Is there any kind of form that we can fill out or document we can draw up, sign and have it filed with the court?

Thanks!

 

[NotSoNew]

normally you can go down to the court and tell them you agree on a CS amount, they will draw up the papers, you both sign, the judge signs off on it and it becomes an order. BUT a call to your county court house asking if this is the proper procedure will answer any doubts. its not likely that you can draw up your own agreement and "file" it with the courts.

 

[Zephyr]

and -just in case- if you or the child are recieving state aid- it is unlikely they will allow less than the guideline amount- as csea is not after him now, I doubt that is the case but just wanted to throw that out there

 

[JustaFriendinTN]

and -just in case- if you or the child are recieving state aid- it is unlikely they will allow less than the guideline amount- as csea is not after him now, I doubt that is the case but just wanted to throw that out there

No, that is not the case. I have not received any state aid, he and I have always taken care of our child ourselves.

 

[NCP Dad in TN]

I just did this recently myself, and I live in TN.

My ex and I modified my visitation. When we went to file it with the courts (no attorneys since it was "mutual") I was informed that child support would have to be reviewed again, since our current Order was under the old guidelines.

We did the caluclations, and it showed I should be paying LESS. But in order to get the extra visitation with my kids, I had to agree to not reduce support.

If you look at the new parenting plans, under the child support section, there is a spot that says "If this is a deviation from the Child Support Guidelines, explain why:" This is where we wrote that the PRP and the ARP agree that child support will remain the same amount.

In your case, you would put "The PRP and the ARP mutually agree to X amount."

Then it's up to the judge to agree to and sign. In MY case, the judge reviewed it, then had his secretary call us and set up a court date. He wanted to "talk to us in person". All he ended up asking was how my ex was living off of only child support (she has no job). She explained all her benefits, scholarships and grants she got from school each year (over 12k per year) and he said "Ok" and signed the new Order.

We did not go through the town's child support office to make the change... we went to the child support office in the COURTHOUSE. Maybe it's different in each town. From there, after it was filed, they then faxed the new Order to the child support office (the one who garnishes my check). They pretty much took care of everything.

Getting signed up for wage assignment should be easy since you both are in agreement to it.

Does any of this make sense or did I confuse you even more?