Q: Served child support letters despite paying $350/month; how to address them?

A: You need to become educated quickly on what the child support guidelines provide for the payment of child support and related expenses. If you have your child with you less than 28.5%% of the overnights ( not simply for dinners or for an afternoon), then the sole parenting work sheet applies, using your total compensation setting not simply your base income. Look at your total compensation for the last 3 years to get a good idea of your total compensation including all commissions, and see where you are at currently against those numbers to project your total for the year. To determine your overnight plan, look at an average 14 day cycle to determine how many of those 14 days do you actually have overnight time. You can then look at your total compensation and your former partners total compensation to figure out the guidelines to see if you are paying the correct amount.

A: It’s stressful to receive formal child support papers when you’ve been doing your best to support your daughter, but this situation can be managed. When you receive letters or court documents, the first thing to do is **read them carefully** and note the deadline for responding or appearing in court. These letters likely mean that the child’s mother has applied for official child support through the state, which triggers a legal process to determine an enforceable payment order. Even though you’ve been paying voluntarily, the court doesn’t recognize verbal agreements—it will only consider what’s legally documented and ordered.

At your hearing, bring **all evidence of your payments and communication** with the mother. This includes bank statements, payment receipts, text messages, or emails showing that you have consistently contributed financially and been involved in your child’s life. This documentation will help the court see that you’ve acted responsibly. The court will then calculate a formal support amount based on your income, your custody arrangement, and the state’s child support guidelines. If your commission income fluctuates, you can explain that in court and provide records to show your variable earnings, which can affect how the support amount is determined.

If you can’t afford a lawyer, you can request help from your **local child support enforcement office or legal aid service**. They often provide free or low-cost guidance for parents in your situation. The most important thing is to attend all hearings and respond to every notice so that the court knows you’re cooperative and transparent. Once a formal order is established, it will give you legal credit for the support you provide and prevent misunderstandings in the future. You’re already doing your part, and following these steps will help ensure your efforts are properly recognized.