Child support is always calculated using the parties’ income and it also takes into account day care expenses and insurance premiums. The support can also be affected by the number of overnight visits each parent has with the children.

Unlike many other legal issues, child support is a big math problem based on the amount of income each party makes. If the child support you have been ordered to pay is not based on your actual income, you must file a Financial Affidavit with the Court and petition the Court for a modification of child support based upon your actual income. If you are not working, the Court will impute your income at minimum wage.

If the other party is represented by an attorney, you should absolutely consider getting legal advice from a local attorney. The forms you needs to file are often overwhelming to pro se clients, and even more so when one party is represented and the other is not.

Regardless of whether you can obtain an attorney or seek legal advice, if you have a certain amount of time to respond, you absolutely need to do so. If you ignore the paperwork that you have received, you will more than likely be ordered to pay child support based upon the income that the opposing attorney has stated you earn.