Contempt of Court for Not Paying Six Months of Support

My question involves child support in the State of: New York

In 2011 I was ordered to pay 41 dollars a week in child support. I was unemployed at the time but we agreed it was a fair amount. I have had a few jobs and paid what I could when I could but at the moment I am unemployed and have fallen behind 6 months of payments plus some extra weeks that I couldn't pay. I also had another child this year with a different woman. I got a summons for court it says I am in contempt of court and the purpose of the hearing is to 'punish the respondent' and that could be jail, a fine or both. Is this just to scare me?

No, that's not scaring you; it can be either, both or neither.

I have been unemployed for a few months and had another child in april will that change any thing? cant i ask to have it forgiven?

You can ask whatever you want - but Mom can refuse.

It's probably best to not use your latest child as an excuse; the idea of "don't breed what you can't feed" comes to mind.

You can file for a modification, but given the already low obligation that may not happen at all.

The likelihood that it will be forgiven are likely nil. A judge won't forgive them. Mom could, but why should she?

You need a job. Just about anyone can make min wage working fast food or retail. Is there a reason you cannot do those kinds of jobs?.

And before it gets asked (because it will be asked), no - a downwards mod will NOT be made retroactive.

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Quoting Dogmatique

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And before it gets asked (because it will be asked), no - a downwards mod will NOT be made retroactive.

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It's probably moot because I don't see a downwards modification happening at all. The amount is already pretty darn low. But I've seen downwards mods made retroactive before.

judge told my ex she could put me in jail but she gave me a month to get a job.. we go back next month

Then you best get offline and start job-hunting.

We go in 2 weeks, I haven't found a job yet and we found out my wife is pregnant again. I sent my ex 20 dollars will it be ok if it looks like I am at least trying