Question:
My ex-spouse requested a review of our current child support order. It was granted, and both of our incomes have went up since the first order was put in place a few years ago. As a result, the support went up significantly, and I cannot afford this increase. What are my legal options?
Answer:
In Ohio, the state that I am licensed in, there are a lot of ways to get a reduction in child support, but not through the Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). The guideline support figure (the figure used by CSEA) is based upon the statutes, so entering the numbers properly is important. CSEA can only deal with the raw numbers, so deviation arguments have to be put before the court.
Grounds for deviations generally include expanded parenting time (parenting time exercised in excess of the standard order), extraordinary cost of exercising visitation, and in kind contributions (payments for the benefit of the child that are not child support).
However, in order to discuss your options more fully, you should consult an attorney in your state and make sure to bring the previous orders with you so they can have all necessary facts to advise you properly.
To arrange an initial consultation to discuss divorce rights for men with a Cordell & Cordell attorney, including Ohio divorce lawyer Daniel White, contact Cordell & Cordell.
Dan Pearce is an Online Editor for Lexicon, focusing on subjects related to the legal services of customers, Cordell & Cordell and Cordell Planning Partners. He has written countless pieces on MensDivorce.com, detailing the plight of men and fathers going through the divorce experience, as well as the issues seniors and their families experience throughout the estate planning journey on ElderCareLaw.com. Mr. Pearce has managed websites and helped create content, such as the Men’s Divorce Newsletter and the YouTube series, “Men’s Divorce Countdown.” He also has been a contributor on both the Men’s Divorce Podcast and ElderTalk with TuckerAllen.
Mr. Pearce assisted in fostering a Cordell Planning Partners practice area specific for Veterans, as they deal with the intricacies of their benefits while planning for the future. He also helped create the Cordell Planning Partners Resource Guide and the Cordell Planning Partners Guide to Alternative Residence Options, specific for seniors with questions regarding their needs and living arrangements.