Can a lawyer help me reduce my child support obligation?
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Anonymous
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Can a lawyer help me reduce my child support obligation?
First I am in NY not DC. To keep it short, I need to pay $1700/month for 2 kids on a 108k salary. NY uses a calculator .The problem is that this calculator does not take into account your expenses. So, I am now short $700 every month. It's crazy that the amount is taken on a net basis. I'm looking for another job, but it's tough with this economy. What's even crazier my ex earns more than me, but she has primary physical custody because due to my work hours it's impossible for me to have them more than 3 days a week. So I have them 3 days a week. I am willing to go into further debt if a lawyer can help me lower my obligations? For example if I show my expenses to the judge will they agree to lower the amount so I don't a shortage every month? Sorry for asking on a DC forum, but reddit isn't that helpful because a lot of dads in my situation end up venting about their own cases instead of offering solutions. |
Anonymous
| Didn't a lawyer help with your divorce? Matrimonial lawyers generally do a free consult. |
Anonymous
OP here. We didn't use a lawyer. We used a mediator and she helped us file with the court. Now I regret and should I have used a lawyer. But my calculus was that if in had used a lawyer it would have put me in debt even sooner with probably not a much better outcome. And I also heard from people that in NY judges rarely deviate from the calculator. |
Anonymous
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I have bad news for you. The judge doesn't care. Some people end up homeless due to child support. The system is set up in a way to maximize child welfare at the expense of the parent.
I have always said marriage is not for the middle and the lower middle class because they are more likely to experience hardship post divorce. Let me say again The judge will not care. But give it a shot you never know. In fact try going to court without a lawyer. They may have sympathy. Do your homework. Track your expenses. Keep receipt. Consult with chatGPT. Make a case for yourself. Don't blame anyone. You never know. |
Anonymous
| Do you have extraordinary expenses? What are they? |
Anonymous
| Could you move back in with the ex? Sleep on the couch etc? |
Anonymous
| What is the childcare situation? Have you talked to your ex? |
Anonymous
No way. We are not in good terms. |
Anonymous
Rent, car payment, credit card payment, food, gas, etc. they add up when $1700 is taken out before you even pay your own bills. |
Anonymous
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Are you paying that $1700 and then your 1-2 of expenses like daycare and clothing and insurance or is she covering all those things and you are giving her $1700 to cover them.
If you have them 3/7 of the time and are also paying daycare, insurance etc . . . $1700 seems high. |
Anonymous
No they don't and lower your expenses and support your kids. $1700 is nothing. |
Anonymous
His annual salary is $108k before tax and he is paying $1700 put his monthly next salary and you say that's nothing? NY is insane. VA has a less generous child support system. |
Anonymous
Wouldn't you paying more expenses for the kids if they lived with you? What would you do then? Reduce your own expenses... |
Anonymous
| Talk to a lawyer but if it’s guidelines nothing you can do. My husband lived very poorly with roommates for years. |
Anonymous
| Are you in NYC? |