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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    5

    Default Qualifications for Reduction in Child Support

    The current state where jurisdiction resides is PA. This also may involve the state of Alabama.

    Background information:
    I recently became unemployed. I voluntarily quit my job in PA to be with my wife in another state. I have been confirmed for UC benefits due to compelling and necessitous reasons. I recently had a child support hearing for a modification request. The hearing officer approved of a reduction and based my income from the UC benefits. I now reside in Alabama. My ex-wife lives in TN.

    From my understanding, domestic relations in PA will track any progress of my employment status. While on the job hunt, I have found it extremely difficult to find suitable employment based on my previous work experience. I did engineering work at different levels (technical lvl and engineering lvl). I was progressing towards my engineering degree and my previous company allowed me to work as an associate engineer at the pay rate of an entry level engineer. The area I reside now has many engineering opportunities however, a degree is required - no exceptions! With no luck finding work, I decided to transfer to the local university and attend full-time. Everything transferred and I am eligible for internships due to an excellent standing and senior level. While I had no luck finding full-time work as an engineer, I did receive a promising interview with a really good employer for a summer internship.

    Here's the question:
    Since my circumstances are leaning towards degree completion for full-time employment, will my child support obligations be reduced during this time? Is a paying father entitled to a child support reduction for educational purposes? Should I petition to move jurisdiction to AL?

    My thoughts:
    It would be most difficult to make support payments while attending college full-time. If I am working towards a degree that will provide full-time employment, the rewards will be transferred to the children in the form of medical, dental, and monetary support payments. I am worried that domestic relations will not consider the circumstances involved and impute me at an earning capacity based on my previous employment. I am trying to do the responsible thing. Just as a reminder, the modification was approved for a reduction based on UC benefits. I am looking down the road when this is monitored and the circumstance changes from being unemployed and hunting for work to full-time college student - no income except summer work.

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    13

    Default Re: Qualifications for Reduction in Child Support

    Well in the town I live in CA, there was recently a case that a judge ordered a grad student to pay more because he thought he could be earning more if he quit school and used his Engineering undergrad to get a regular job. This one didnt turn out well because the poor guy shot the Ex and then himself.
    I hear sometimes they can say you have the potential to earn more even though you are not or you are a student.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    256

    Default Re: Qualifications for Reduction in Child Support

    You'll still be expected to pay support for your kid. You can choose to go to school full time, but that won't relieve you of your child support obligation, because the child still needs to fed, clothed, housed, etc...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    2,773

    Default Re: Qualifications for Reduction in Child Support

    Quote Quoting philistine
    View Post
    The current state where jurisdiction resides is PA. This also may involve the state of Alabama.

    Background information:
    I recently became unemployed. I voluntarily quit my job in PA to be with my wife in another state. I have been confirmed for UC benefits due to compelling and necessitous reasons. I recently had a child support hearing for a modification request. The hearing officer approved of a reduction and based my income from the UC benefits. I now reside in Alabama. My ex-wife lives in TN.

    From my understanding, domestic relations in PA will track any progress of my employment status. While on the job hunt, I have found it extremely difficult to find suitable employment based on my previous work experience. I did engineering work at different levels (technical lvl and engineering lvl). I was progressing towards my engineering degree and my previous company allowed me to work as an associate engineer at the pay rate of an entry level engineer. The area I reside now has many engineering opportunities however, a degree is required - no exceptions! With no luck finding work, I decided to transfer to the local university and attend full-time. Everything transferred and I am eligible for internships due to an excellent standing and senior level. While I had no luck finding full-time work as an engineer, I did receive a promising interview with a really good employer for a summer internship.

    Here's the question:
    Since my circumstances are leaning towards degree completion for full-time employment, will my child support obligations be reduced during this time? Is a paying father entitled to a child support reduction for educational purposes? Should I petition to move jurisdiction to AL?

    My thoughts:
    It would be most difficult to make support payments while attending college full-time. If I am working towards a degree that will provide full-time employment, the rewards will be transferred to the children in the form of medical, dental, and monetary support payments. I am worried that domestic relations will not consider the circumstances involved and impute me at an earning capacity based on my previous employment. I am trying to do the responsible thing. Just as a reminder, the modification was approved for a reduction based on UC benefits. I am looking down the road when this is monitored and the circumstance changes from being unemployed and hunting for work to full-time college student - no income except summer work.

    Thanks!
    You really shouldn't push your luck by requesting a further reduction. You are actually lucky that you have already gotten 1 reduction, because typically a VOLUNTARY reduction in come does not result in a decrease.

    I understand your reasoning for going back to school to be able to earn more. However, full time schooling is usually considered to be a voluntary unemployment or underemployment, as the other poster pointed out, children's needs to not stop while a parent is going to school.

    What you need to do is to get a full time job and attend school parttime.

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