My question involves child support in the State of: California (Butte County - Chico)
I just had a baby w/ my ex boyfriend last week. This is our first child together and first child period (no prior children from prior relationships). My ex keeps trying to get me to accept a money order of $200 every two weeks for our newborn son. I don't feel comfortable taking it for a few serious and cautious reasons and I've stated this to him but I smell something fishy about his true intentions. I don't believe his reasons or intentions are noble or honorable, rather he's trying something sneaky & looking out only for himself.
1. I feel that $200 every two weeks, which is $400 per month is too little, he makes between $50K to $55K and can afford to give way more! Between $700 & $900! What would be the estimated child support payment, assuming he'll only have visitation for the next couple of years while the baby & him build a bond and the baby is on my health insurance through my employer?
2. He is unrealiable, and I feel like if I accept this low ball offer for a couple of months that he'll simply stop making payments or will not make payments on time or rountinely and I'll still have to take him through the court system. Especially b/c we DO NOT get along AT ALL or see eye-to-eye on absolutely anything. Will a judge take the child support payment straight out of his paycheck? If not, how can we establish this from the get go?
3. He lies too much about everything and I distrust his intentions and I feel that child support payments should be established by a judge through the court. I rather everything be dealt w/ through legal avenues (even if I dont have a lawyer b/c I cant afford one). I spent $3000 on baby needs (crib, stroller, car seat and other baby related essentials which I have recpts for), and I feel that my ex should reimburse me for half the cost ($1500). Will the court establish this reimbursment payment, on top of the child support payment my ex will need to pay?
4. Lastly, I've heard that if I accept & cash any child support checks or money orders from him (established by us and not through the court system) that if/when I take him through the court system the judge will simply go w/ the amount my ex and I established. Is this true?
Any more information and feedback is welcome and needed.
Thank you!

