Q: My daughter was born in 2013 when I was 16 and her mother was 17.5 She put me on child support when I was 18, but
I hadn’t even started my first job at the time so how was the amount calculated? My mom passed away when I was a child and my dad passed away when I was 18 six weeks before the birth of my second daughter with my now wife which is around the time I was put on child support and because of the death of my dad I ended up homeless and my newborn lived with her mom and grandparents. I finally got a job when my youngest was 4 months and the child support for my first was taken out my checks. How was the amount calculated if I didn’t have a job yet and I was homeless? 9 years later I still don’t have any custody or days of my own with my first. How can I change this? I want 50/50 custody, but can’t afford a lawyer. If not what is something more reasonable I can ask for?
A: You have asked several different questions and should probably look for a free consultation with a local family lawyer. Regarding income, a person with no job is generally imputed minimum wage. This means that the court assumes that you are earning at minimum wage, even if you are not. Regarding timesharing (custody), you need to go to court, preferably where the child lives, and ask for timesharing. This may involve filing a new paternity case or a modification of an existing paternity case. Again, I recommend that you speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.
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