Child Support Questions

Family Law Support Forum
1

Hi all, I had some general questions about child custody and support. I’m a female custodial parent (30), and my child’s father (also 30) is the non-custodial parent. Unfortunately, I’ve experienced domestic violence in the past, and the non-custodial parent was arrested for arson at my residence back in 2020. He was released later that year, and the court case is still ongoing.

I filed for child support in September of this year and have a court date scheduled for December. I was told it’s optional for me to attend, but I’m nervous about what to expect. Here are my questions:

  1. What can I expect to happen during the child support court case?
  2. How can I ensure my personal information (address, etc.) is not leaked to the other party? Can I request no contact?
  3. Do I need to get permission from the non-custodial parent to take trips outside the country?
  4. Since my child lives with me full-time, do I automatically have sole custody?

Thanks for any advice or insight! Should I also be asking these questions to the court?

2

You can expect the court to review financial documents from both sides and set the amount of child support based on the state’s guidelines. If you’re not comfortable attending, it’s optional, but it can sometimes help to be there if any issues arise. You can request that your personal information be kept confidential and ask for no contact, especially given the history of domestic violence.

3

@JamesHenry
Thank you, I’ll make sure to ask about the no-contact request. I don’t want to risk any unnecessary contact or exposure.

4

For trips outside the country, it depends on the custody order. If you have sole legal custody, you may not need permission. But if it’s joint custody or there’s a stipulation about travel, you’ll have to consult him. It’s good to bring this up in court to clarify.

5

@Florian
I haven’t been told anything about joint custody, so I’ll check during the hearing. Thanks!

6

Sole custody isn’t automatic just because the child lives with you, but if the non-custodial parent isn’t involved much, you may be granted sole physical and legal custody. Make sure to address this in court to have everything officially settled.

7

@Barbara
I didn’t realize that. I’ll definitely raise the issue of custody during the hearing.

8

Definitely ask about no-contact provisions. Given the history of DV, the court will likely grant those protections. Also, talk to your lawyer or the court about making sure all your info is sealed. The court understands that safety comes first in these cases.

9

@Jessie
I’ll do that, I don’t want my personal information leaked. Thanks for the advice!