Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania

hello,my name is Natalie, i have a 5 year old daughter. her father is taking me to court again to get our child support order lowered. he did this last year(Jan 2009) and because he moved from one department to another (at the same job location) his income lowered, he had to either change jobs completely or find another department to work in because he was going to get fired. in a nutshell the mediator lowered it a little because he was caught up with his arrears, at any rate it wasn't lowered a lot because the based the support on the department he worked previously, because it was his own fault his pay was less. he is taking me back again on july 6, he sees his daughter but twice a month, he lives where he works & basically has no bills, i have rent,an electric bill, my daughter is getting bigger so clothes are more expensive, i lost my job in dec of 09 because my car died, i am adamantly looking for a job, but because i am single mom who cannot work nights and weekends it's difficult, right now i collect 424$ in unemployment my only other income is the 564$ in child support... when i didn't have a car from dec 09-mar 2010, he never offered to take to the store to by food,clothing or anything for our daughter, he never offered to take her to her dr's appts either, can he get the support lowered again?


Asked on 6/03/10, 4:13 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Rachel Hunter

Natalie,

Child support in PA is determined in accordance with the child support guidelines. it can be modified basedon a change in circumstance, like job loss or a different job for less pay. Child support is based on yours and the father's gross monthly income. It sounds like you have had changes in income as well which may counterbalance the father's evidence. Take evidence into the hearing as to what you make and your expenses. Bring in evidence of what you have to show that he lives at work and has no expenses, loike rent, electric etc. The hearing officer or judge will not deviate from the guidelines by more than 15% usually absent a good reason, but that might exist in your case. The guidelines are online - do a google search.

There is no way to make him be a good dad and I am sorry for that.

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Answered on 6/04/10, 11:09 am


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