Parental Expenses Sample

They fell in love and had a baby. After a while, sharing their bedroom with the baby was not much fun, so they moved into a two bedroom apartment. It cost more, and they used more heat and electricity, but they were happier. They also needed a bigger car that could fit the baby seat. So they got a new 4-door and a loan.

Child care was so expensive that it took more than half of Judy's pay each week just to pay the babysitter. Tom got a raise, though. He and Judy decided that she should quit her full-time job and work part-time. Judy made less money, but Tom and his Mom did most of the child care. Money actually seemed a little better for a while. Judy was home with the baby a lot more.

They got by. A few years after their second baby was born, Tom and Judy noticed that they were going into debt. Money was a tough subject, and they owed more than ever. They looked at their money and their bills and compared them to their old bills- the ones they had before they had kids. Here is what they saw:

Even though Tom had gotten a raise, Judy's cut in pay meant they had less income than before the kids. And their expenses were higher than ever- even without child care. To make up the slack, they borrowed money and used their credit card. Tom didn't realize it, but the family now relied on him for more than three quarters of their money. (Judy's money made up the other 24%).

Having kids costs money. Almost all of Tom and Judy's bills went up. At same time their income went down. They fought about a lot of things, including money. Finally, they decided to split-up. Tom got his own apartment - adding another $550 per month to expenses. He also bought an old car, which meant more repairs, insurance. He cut back on what he sent to Judy to make ends meet.

More expenses than ever. Less money than ever. That's when Judy decided to take Tom to Court for child support.

This was a real mess and they couldn't even talk about it sometimes. Either they would work out something legal and binding, or the Court would order it for them.

When they go to Court they can either agree to a 'consent order' at a conference with a family court officer/mediator, and/or see a hearing officer who specializes in child support. Either way, someone would listen to their stories, apply the child support guidelines, and 'recommend' a way to solve the case. If they didn't like what was recommended, they could eventually see a Judge.

If they want to, and can afford to, they can get a lawyer to help them with any part of this process. (If they have little or no money, they could apply for a Legal Aid lawyer). Lawyers can give advice, help settle the case or help the person who hires them go through the Court process.

It ends with the Judge. If they can't settle, the Judge decides. They might like what the Judge decides better, or they might wish that they had settled. But what the Judge decides will be the law for their case.

To make sure they got the best deal, they talked to lawyers, and asked some questions at the County Family Court Office. They learned what they would need to bring with them to make sure they got a fair hearing and got it done in one trip:

• Pay Stubs
• Tax Returns (with the W-2, and 1099 forms they got from their employer each year)
• Their drivers' licenses
• Social Security Cards/numbers, including the kids
• Health Insurance ID Cards
• Full names, addresses, and phone numbers for their employer
• Proof of child care expenses or other special expenses related directly to the kids
• Notes about special questions they want to ask
• Special papers about their case, like:
  - Doctor's letters/ or hospital reports
  - Papers from other court cases, especially other custody, child
  --support/alimony, or divorce cases
  - Checking account/bank records
• Information about the Other party in their case (in case they don't show-up), like:
  - Name, address, phone number, date of birth, social security number
  - Employer, address, job title, job location
  - Picture and complete description of what they look like
  - Car description, license plate number, driver's license number
  - Bank account information
  

They were smart, so they will be prepared. They will try and settle their case, but if they can't, they will make sure that the hearing officer or Judge has all of the information needed to finish the case. They will make sure the kids will get the money they deserve.