Should I Try for Joint Custody
My question involves child support in the State of: Minnesota. So long story short; I get my son a lot. Over the last year alone I have had him over 50% of the time, closer to 65%. I pay CS regardless and when I have him and when I do not. His mother applied for support a few months after my son was born, I never received any papers until the order came in the mail. Today I got a letter from the county telling me they're tacking on an extra $75 for medical reimbursement? It doesn't say the total or anything, just tells me they're adding an additional $75 per month. They even spelled my sons name wrong on the letter lol, this all seems very unprofessional to me and I'm pretty sure my sons mother personally knows our case worker. I've decided to really try and fight this, this is completely unfair to me. I was originally going to wait until I finish school this may before I try for joint physical custody, but I can't wait any longer.
Some quick details; I've always been a part of my sons life since the day he was born, always paid child support, I get him all the time, over the last 3 or 4 years I've had him about 50% of the time. The reason I have waited so long to push for joint custody was because we had a pretty good setup going, minus the child support aspect and I wanted to get out of college and get a place closer to where they live(about an hr away). I knew if I pushed for court action and lost, my sons mother would do everything in her power to make my life hell and restrict me seeing my son to the lowest possible amount. And that wasn't worth it to me. But now I feel I have a pretty good chance of winning joint physical custody. Has anyone been in a similar situation? How did it end up? What should I expect? Any suggestions?
Also one more quick question. Neither of us live in the original county that handles our case work, is it true that this has to be changed to go through the county we live in now? Thanks!
Re: Should I Try for Joint Custody
Is there a court order for visitation in place already?
If you have him most of the time, you have a good chance of asking for primary custody, and going after HER for child support. You should really see a lawyer. But to answer your question, yes, you should definitely try for at least putting the current status quo in an official order.
Re: Should I Try for Joint Custody
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shortie
Is there a court order for visitation in place already?
If you have him most of the time, you have a good chance of asking for primary custody, and going after HER for child support. You should really see a lawyer. But to answer your question, yes, you should definitely try for at least putting the current status quo in an official order.
There is no court order for visitation in place currently. I don't think I'd really have much of a chance for primary custody. Right now he started headstart school which is 2 days a week so now I'm getting him usually every thurs-monday or so. So much less than I have had him in the past.
Re: Should I Try for Joint Custody
Bear in mind even if you have a 50/50 timeshare split, you can STILL be ordered to pay child support.
Re: Should I Try for Joint Custody
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Dogmatique
Bear in mind even if you have a 50/50 timeshare split, you can STILL be ordered to pay child support.
Even if both parents have joint physical custody?
Re: Should I Try for Joint Custody
Yes. If the discrepancy in your respective incomes is large enough, for example, one party can be ordered to pay child support.
Re: Should I Try for Joint Custody
What do you mean you don't have a chance at primary? You have a pretty good chance at getting primary based on the fact that you kind of unofficially already do.
It's worth a shot at least.