[amess]

What kind of documents can a notary be used for? Will it be held up in court?

Thank you.

[Fr_Chuck]

You can have your signiture notarized, any one, it merely proves that the person who signed it was the person who signed it.

It does not make any paper more or less legal.

[JudyKayTee]

you can have your signiture notarized, any one, it merely proves that the person who signed it was the person who signed it.

It does not make any paper more or less legal.

Exactly, nor does it make a paper any more truthful. A notary ONLY attests that he/she checked the ID and the person who signed it is the person who said they signed it. That's all.

That's why Wills are witnessed (is the testator of sound mind, etc.) and documents are notarized.

[amess]

Thanks. He wanted me to get some form notarized saying he would pay me x dollars a month.

[Fr_Chuck]

It is basically worthless unless the judge has ruled on it, and if he is signing it, he has to have it notorised because it is his promise, not yours, but it merely means he agreed to out of court and can come back and change his mind anytime he wants unless it is ruled on by the judge.

Sounds like he is trying to trick you and cheat you to not go to court and do this properly

[amess]

I think you are right. He wants to pay me $800/month which is really good and would help me immensely. I told him if and when we agree I only would ask $450 of him. If I felt like my son didn't need it I wouldn't accept a thing from him.

He knows the court would order me way more and for a longer period. He says they won't order more than $1500 because that is the max but I am starting to find that is false.

[Fr_Chuck]

Actually it is not what you ask for really, child support is set by state law in most US states by a forumla. So they base it on his pay, and sometimes your pay and it is just what he has to pay.

[amess]

I know it is based on a formula. I was just going to ask him for that if we did something out of court, but based on our situation we need to go to court I just can't afford to initiate it.

[JudyKayTee]

I know it is based on a formula. I was just going to ask him for that if we did something out of court, but based on our situation we need to go to court I just can't afford to initiate it.

You don't need an Attorney - go to the Court and file the papers.

[amess]

You don't need an Attorney - go to the Court and file the papers.

He has to be established as the legal father first. He is only the biological. Another man is on my son's because. A paternity test won't be enough, will it?

[Fr_Chuck]

Actually now this opens up 100 other issues, how long has the one man been listed as father and where do you live, in some states, after a number of years, the man listed will always be the legal father, even if not the real father and he will be the one liable for child support
*** not fair at all but it is the law in some places in the US.

But almost all places have legal aid soceity that will help you with the court work

But what the heck, if he will actually start paying you if you both sign something and get a notorary on both sign, why not, it will get you paid and you can always take him to court latter

[amess]

We are in Il. The law here is 2 years old. My son is only 1. I want to get something going in the next few months.

What is legal aid society and how will it help me?

[Fr_Chuck]

There are groups like this all over the US, that help low income. This is one in central ILL, if you don't live there, you can contact them for a group near you

Prairie State Legal Services

[amess]

Thank you for the link. I actually searched the site and the counties it serves are nowhere near where I live. I will call and see if they can direct me in the right direction. Any idea what is considered low income?

[amess]

Found the income guidelines and I make too much.