I've been a sales rep for almost 13 years and most of my income is commissioned base (about two thirds from commissions). I lost my job a few months ago due to the economy and recently started a new job that is paying considerably less (still salary plus commission). I filed a modification of child support to get my payments lowered because of the drastic income change and the judge denied it saying "it was too soon" to determine what my income will be and kepy my support number where it originally was. Mind you, the support figure is bigger than my gross income per month so as you can see I can't only afford child support, but I can't afford to pay my own living expenses. What other recourse do I have? Do I just pay what I can for now and file another modification in a few months? Any feedback is greatly appreciated. FWIW, I live in Iowa, but my ex and children live in MN and the state of MN has jurisdiction currently.

In this economy there are people working 2 and 3 part-time jobs, far beneath their experience, far beneath their former income level, in order to meet support obligations. The only answers are a reduction a living expenses or an increase in income. There is no easy way.

You will be getting behind and subject to court santion if you do not pay the amount. But then if you can't, you pay as much as you can,

Options,
Get a room mate for living expenses
Spend more time out selling,
Get a second job or a third job
I work several things to keep money coming in

If you can't pay the full amount You might try using an online calculator and at least pay what it says and a little more. And ask for a modification hearing in 6 months. You State allows for it in 6 months time.

Calculator (http://childsupportcalculator.dhs.state.mn.us/)

At least it would show your trying.

In this economy there are people working 2 and 3 part-time jobs, far beneath their experience, far beneath their former income level, in order to meet support obligations. The only answers are a reduction a living expenses or an increase in income. There is no easy way.

In my opinion.. there needs to be some kind of safety net put in place for the NCP that has to pay support and has a involuntary reduction in pay to keep every NCP that faces sudden layoff or closing from becoming a criminal. In my area I have seen car dealerships evaporate ( open on Sunday and gates locked on Monday ). There are a lot of plant closings and short shifts going on ( reduction of hours from 40 to 32 per week or less ).

Maybe some kind of laws need to be enacted that allow for short term review during this time of adjustment for all of us.

IMHO .. there needs to be some kind of safety net put in place for the NCP that has to pay support and has a involuntary reduction in pay to keep every NCP that faces sudden layoff or closing from becoming a criminal. In my area I have seen car dealerships evaporate ( open on Sunday and gates locked on Monday ). There are a lot of plant closings and short shifts going on ( reduction of hours from 40 to 32 per week or less ).

Maybe some kind of laws need to be enacted that allow for short term review during this time of adjustment for all of us.



I absolutely agree with you - unfortunately the Courts are so swamped with this problem (reduced incomes) right now that they have even less time than before. I don't know what the answer is but I am not insensitive to the problem.