Q: Can I get child support for my 6yr old daughter even if I live at home w/ family who helps pay for her/me?
I have 2 part-time jobs. My child's father works 1 job (he makes more than me) & lives with a relative. I initiated a $$ agreement last year as I got tired of him repeatedly failing to co-parent like we agreed after her birth (he's never established a relationship nor paid for her expenses). He continuously fails to make the payment in full, on time & the amount is meager. I fear that he'll use my living situation & the time I spent living on campus during undergrad as a way to avoid to child support. While living on campus I still came home on weekends/breaks, communicated with my daughter everyday, and even paid for both her and my school bills with my checks from time to time while my family covered the rest of the expenses & direct care. Will this be used against me or will child support simply acknowledge that he's an absent/deadbeat father and make him pay his fair share? Will we be forced to make a custody agreement or must that be initiated by one of us?
A: Yes you can. Both parents are responsible for child support. Contact an attorney. He'll file a motion, your case information statement and the child support guidelines on your behalf. The court will apply the child support guidelines, determine his financial responsibility, and issue an order obligating him to pay his fair share.
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