Question:
I recently had a hearing to reevaluate child support due to my ex under-reporting her earnings; however, the court took her at her word without her having to produce any sort of documentation.
Is there some way to appeal this ruling and require her to prove her income so I can have my child support lowered?

Answer:
In Pennsylvania, there is an option to file a Motion for Reconsideration to have a matter that was previously heard by a judge heard again.
If a Master has heard the case and entered a recommendation, this may be appealed by filing a Request for a De Novo hearing, at which time the case is to be heard from a fresh start.
There are strict time requirements on filing Motions for Reconsideration and Requests for De Novo hearings in this state, so you should consult with a a local attorney to discuss the facts of your case and your state’s approach to child support matters to see if these may be options available to you.
If your matter is rescheduled for a subsequent hearing, it may be an option to serve opposing party with a Notice to Attend and Produce prior to your hearing, which puts her on notice to provide documentation of her earnings to the court.
If she fails to bring documentation with her to the hearing, you may ask the court to draw a negative inference as to her earnings due to her failure to provide documentation.
Remember, I am unable to provide you with anything more than tips on your situation, so please consult a domestic litigation attorney in your area to obtain specific advice as to the laws in your state and how they impact your potential case.
To arrange an initial consultation to discuss divorce rights for men with a Cordell & Cordell attorney, including Pennsylvania divorce lawyer Jaimie Collins, contact Cordell & Cordell.


Mat Camp is a former Lexicon Services Online Editor, who focused on providing a comprehensive look into all aspects of the divorce experience. On MensDivorce.com, he concentrated on issues, such as parenting time, custodial rights, mediation, the division of assets, and so much more.
Mr. Camp used the wealth of experience of Cordell & Cordell attorneys to bring tangible answers to reader questions in Ask a Lawyer articles, as well as offer a step by step process through the divorce experience with Cordell & Cordell Co-Founder and Principal Partner Joseph E. Cordell in Divorce 101: A Guide for Men.
Mr. Camp used thorough research to highlight the challenging reality that those who go through divorce or child custody issues face. He helped foster the continued success of the Men’s Divorce Survival Guide, the Men’s Divorce Podcast, and the Men’s Divorce YouTube series “Attorney Bites.”