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Questions Answered by Susan G. Cohen
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for California on
Q: How to handle a case that is dragging due to my ex requesting many continuances and not cooperating w/ an order?

I have an 18 month old, my ex manipulated me into accepting a support based on my base salary vs his base salary and smith-ostler on his additional income ( he makes between $250 - $350k in annual commission and has for years). However, he has broken the order and has not paid Smith-Ostler,... View More

Susan G. Cohen
Susan G. Cohen
answered on Jun 28, 2016

An attorney should review the court file to see what the exact language of the court order says. You may be able to ask the court to give you a judgment for any unpaid arrears. If you have to bring on a motion to enforce the existing order, you or your attorney should ask for Attorney's Fees... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for California on
Q: I want to modify child support, but scared cause I don't want my support to go down do you think I should.

I want to change support because there father is asking for better clothes for the girls when they visit him I send summertime clothes because I buy school clothes along with everything else he bought 1short and pants for both of them not all the time he gets clothes from his new girlfriends kids... View More

Susan G. Cohen
Susan G. Cohen
answered on Jun 28, 2016

To answer your question I would need to be able to do a full child support calculation, using your current pay stubs and last three years tax returns. There may be additional information that I would need. You can reach me at (916) 541-0047. My office is located at 9521 Folsom Boulevard,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for California on
Q: Can my son be adopted by my boyfriend if his father hasn't been in the picture for over 3 years?

He has paid no child support ever my son is 6 years old. He is a drug addict, homeless, and has very bad medical problems. He also has a child endangerment case against him.

Susan G. Cohen
Susan G. Cohen
answered on Jun 28, 2016

You will need to file a case in the Superior Court in the county where you and your son live. have any court orders about custody of your son ever been entered? A court will have to terminate the biological father's rights before any attempt can be made to get an adoption done. But if you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for California on
Q: Retro support order in California. Can it be recalculated if it was based on incorrect income?

Divorce was finalized on 03/15/2015 and I was ordered back support from the filing date of 06/14/2014. However I live in Missouri and was not present when they calculated it. My ex stated my income was $4100 per month when it was $3065 (gross). So the arrears for retro support is about $4,000 more... View More

Susan G. Cohen
Susan G. Cohen
answered on Jun 28, 2016

You may be able to try and at least get credit for payments you made. You should contact a lawyer in the same county as the Superior Court that entered the order, to see if you can challenge the legal basis of the order that was entered, or ask the court to modify it. for further information you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for California on
Q: My 16 year old niece wants to run away and come live with me again. She's self harming herself. Please help

My niece Katelyn has lived with her bio dad for less then a year. She was taken from bio mom and I was given temporary custody. We found her bio dad and now she's with him. I had her in counseling for cutting herself. Since being with her dad she's been verbally abused by her dad and his... View More

Susan G. Cohen
Susan G. Cohen
answered on Jun 28, 2016

Do you still have custody under a court order? If you still have custody you may be able to have her come live with you. Is the father living in the same county as you live in, or a different county? Which county entered the court order? You can contact me by telephone for some further... View More

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