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AjH1980 · Feb 12, 2009, 05:10 AM

I am a father of a 4 1/2 year old girl We live in GA. I've been ordered to pay 155.65 a week in child support, one kid!! I just make roughly 1200 a month, I have bills of my own, my ex lied on the support order, and they will not change it until 2 years have passed because the jugde made me sign the first order. I haven't seen her in over a year, the ex will not let me. The judge seems to be on her side, I've took her to court several times on this matter. I am now talking to an attn to help me. I have nothing, My ex has everything. I don't think it's right, but they will put me in jail if I fight it. I'm a good dad, I pay her every week, never had missed a payment, but I'm being treated as a dead beat dad by the court system, they have no sympathy for a good father, they think we are all the same. I hear all the horror stories from women on here, and I'm am nothing like them. Please give me your advise on what to do. I'm lost, about to loose everything, but none of this matters until I get to see my daughter.

Fr_Chuck · Feb 12, 2009, 06:26 AM

There are no "sides" in Georgia child support

And Ga is very progressive if you live in the same area for joint custody.

But in GA it is set at 17 percent of your gross ( not your take home) pay.
If the mothers income is high enough, that amount can be lowered.

Now you may be required to pay for the child's health insurance, but if you are only making 1200 a month, you can get the child on peach care in GA for about 30 dollars a month.

ScottGem · Feb 12, 2009, 06:32 AM

What visitation was set by the court? What happens when you go back to the court and report that she refused to let you have the child when you were scheduled to?

If the visitation order is setup, and she refuses to let you have the child when scheduled, the court should have no choice but to find her in contempt and order her to comply or face sanctions. If the judge is not doing that, then go to the chief judge of the Family Court and report it.

Fr_Chuck · Feb 12, 2009, 06:52 AM

Agreed Scott, first even being late on payments does not take away the right of the visits, only allows them to go after you for contempt for not paying.

In GA the parents are suppose to try and submit a parenting plan that becomes part of the child custody agreement. If they can not agree, one is done for them though mediation and court order.

All parts of the court order can be enforced but it requires going back to court.

JudyKayTee · Feb 12, 2009, 07:37 AM

How did the Judge "make" you sign?

Support and visitation are two very different things - as others have explained. Why don't you see your daughter?

AjH1980 · Feb 12, 2009, 09:26 AM

Ok, Thanks for all the replies so far. My ex is a money grubbing b****.. She only cares about the money, The judge seems to be on her side, and I'm just a money tree who will support her too. She works and makes more than me, 1800 a month. Babysitting is included, but she has another kid that isn't mine, and she put him in there too, so basicly I'm taking care of both of them, and the other father pays for her living arrangememnts, and she put that in her expensives which she doesn't even pay for, along with the utilities, and food.. He pays for it all, so he won't owe her child support every week like I do. I'm living in a different city than her, and that's why she will not let me spend time with her and the judge seems to agree. I'm going tomarrow to talk with an attn, maybe I will get some answers.. Thanks for your help though

JudyKayTee · Feb 12, 2009, 09:28 AM

You are not going to get a lot of sympathy here (or probably anywhere else) when you consider child support of $155/weekly to be riding the money train.

I have NEVER seen visitation denied because of the distance between the two parties, never.

I think there is some undisclosed info.

ScottGem · Feb 12, 2009, 09:36 AM

I agree that something appears to be missing here. Obviously there is animosity between you. But I can't see why judge would agree to not allowing visitation just because of the distance. Generally, when that happens, the NCP will get alternate school holidays or similar. Now you may have to pay for transport, but visitation shouldn't be denied.

As for her financials, if you believe she is not reporting correctly, then you need to challenge them and have her produce proof. In most cases support is ordered as a percentage of income per child. Doesn't sound like $155/wk covers two children.

AjH1980 · Feb 12, 2009, 09:57 AM

I've just heard of people paying like $50-$60 a week for one child.. I don't want no sympathy, I just don't think it's right. She's just mad that I'm dating again. and yes, she is a money grubber, you don't know her like I do, so dont be taking up for her like everyone else does. I wish I could let you see what all she put down on that worksheet. She does not pay all of that!!!!

DSMom · Feb 12, 2009, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by AjH1980

I've just heard of people paying like $50-$60 a week for one child.. I don't want no sympathy, I just don't think it's right. She's just mad that I'm dating again. and yes, she is a money grubber, you don't know her like I do, so dont be taking up for her like everyone else does. I wish I could let you see what all she put down on that worksheet. She does not pay all of that!!!!

Woah, please do not take offense. You posted a situation/question and people are simply replying to what you wrote. No one is taking up for anyone here, just simply stating what they know.
Just because you live in another city, that does not give reason for her to keep your daughter from you. Was there ever any visitation set up?
The money issue is something totally different. As stated earlier, if the things on the worksheet were not correct, challenge it and have her provide proof. This is something that can be done.

AjH1980 · Feb 12, 2009, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by DSMom

Woah, please do not take offense. You posted a situation/question and people are simply replying to what you wrote. No one is taking up for anyone here, just simply stating what they know.
Just becasue you live in another city, that does not give reason for her to keep your daughter from you. Was there ever any visitation set up?
The money issue is something totally different. As stated earlier, if the things on the worksheet were not correct, challenge it and have her provide proof. This is something that can be done.

I'm just so sick of everything lol.. sorry I went off on people.. I'm scared to challenge it, I went to court last Friday to have it modified, and they wouldn't do it, I was in contempt of the first order is what her lawyer said, so they wouldn't do anything, and the judge told me I could go to jail, and I don't need that.

bEaUtIfUlbRuNeTtE · Feb 12, 2009, 10:29 AM

Where I live, child support is 33% of a gross pay!

bEaUtIfUlbRuNeTtE · Feb 12, 2009, 10:30 AM

I understand that you only make $1200/month and $155 does seem like a lot per week but I will tell you that $50-60/week isn't enough to cover 1 child's living expenses.

ScottGem · Feb 12, 2009, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by AjH1980

I was in contempt of the first order is what her lawyer said,

See now this is new info you didn't reveal earlier. And it could have a bearing on what happened in court. Also, you were going it on your own against someone represented by counsel. Generally a recipe for disaster.

I (I think all of us) understand your anger and frustration. But all we have to go on is what you tell us. We also have to respond based on our experience that there are usually two sides to a story and we are only hearing one side.

I think your best bet is to retain an attorney who can get your case presented correctly and make sure all the facts bought by both parties are verified.

But you are not going to get results by lashing out at people trying to help you.