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Reduction, child support

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Lilley

Guest
Desperate for advice

sc-I moved from NJ when I got laid off from my job, was making approx $50,000 a yr mostly from overtime. Company closed down, had high blood pressure & moved to get a new start, plus whole family lives in sc. I pay $150 a week for one child. I cant afford it, as much as I would love for my daughter to have whatever I could give her. I cant afford to fly to NJ to file for a reduction. Do I have to be there to file for a reduction. Can this be done through the mail. Or do I need a lawyer to appear for me. Does anyone know what this would cost. I would love for my daughter to be with me, but her mother would not consider it as long as she is getting $150 a week. I know because she gave her up to me once before when she wasnt getting as much. When I had no one to help take care of her, her mother got her back along with higher support. I know if I could get it lowered, my child would be with me. The BM has a job working off the books so I cant prove her income and my daughter is always pawned off to other people because her mother likes to go out a lot. I gross approx 950 every two weeks, and clear approx 380.00 plus have medical on my child. Do I have a chance of having it lowered and can this be done without me having to miss work to fly up to NJ which I dont have the money for. Please, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.

[Edited by Lilley on 05-12-2001 at 02:55 PM]
 


Ambr

Senior Member
is your case handled through CSE?

if it is, you might be in luck. you could call CSE and ask for a review. they will ask you to submit the new income and expense information and they will review the amount. they will handle the court side of it for you.

best of all, it shouldn't cost a dime.

the bad side of it, if it is reviewed and it shows that it should be raised. you can tell them that you do not want to pursue it.

but...if their office is like ours, when my ex tried to lower his and found out that it should be hiked up another 75 bucks. he told them no. they called and gave me the information and asked if i wanted to have it raised (use my turn at review). so....just to warn you. if it shows a raise, the ex could be contacted and given the chance to hike it up.

$150 a month? that really doesn't start to cover anything. food alone would run an average of $40 a week just for the child. that doesn't count clothing expenses, school supplies and (god forbid) if the child were to get sick. not to mention the basics, roof over her head, lights, electrics, you know - life stuff.

[Edited by Ambr on 05-12-2001 at 02:55 PM]
 
L

Lilley

Guest
Hi Amber,
Thanks for responding so quickely. No I dont pay 150 a month, I pay $150 a week. Also, what is CSE. This was court ordered, where I had to appear before a mediator and then the order was applied to my job for garnishment. So do I have to call NJ and ask for a case worker to help me. They dont ever return calls when I leave messages. I appreciate your help.
 

Ambr

Senior Member
Child Support Enforcement

they usually stay pretty swamped up, but it would definitely be worth waiting on hold and leaving TONS of messages.

when we were divorced, they established the support order. it was automatically set up through the state. they took out like 15 bucks the first check to cover expenses or something like that. other than that - it doesn't cost a dime. they periodically review the order and i have one time every 3 years to review it and he has one time every three years to request a review. it also allows for special circumstances if there is a significant change - usually like 30%.

check out this link and click on your state. it will give you the review information that you are wanting.

http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cse/ocsetoc.htm

you could also run a search for the child support enforcement for your state. most states have their own website now.
 
L

Lilley

Guest
Thanks again Amber,
I will definately look into it. One more question if you dont mind. But I was wondering, you are on the other side of the fence so to speak, but do think I am being unreasonable asking for a reduction. I have been putting this off for a very long time because I dont like to make waves, but it is getting harder and harder to live on $380 every two weeks. Thanks
 

Ambr

Senior Member
actually, i can see it from both sides of the fence. i also have 2 stepsons.

have you tried a support calculator. they have them on line in a couple of different spots. you need to have some idea of your ex's income and expenses.

http://alllaw.com/calculators/Childsupport/new_jersey/

fill in the information that it requests and hit calculate. it should give you an idea of how much support you should pay.
 
L

Lilley

Guest
Hi,
I dont think my case is handled through CSE. It is handled through the court. I did check online about the calculator, and it said I should only be paying approx 320.00 a month, and that was with putting the ex as showing no income, because she works off the books. I know she would not show anything else. Thanks for your help. Now I have to find out if I can file a motion without actually having to appear, because if I miss work, she will not hesitate if I am one week late. and missing work will put me behind. If anyone has any input as to how to go about this without having a lawyer, I appreciate it. Thanks
 

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