Child Support Issue

[gnkw]

My ex who lives in Maryland has recently asked for an increase in support. She took our 11 year old to have braces put on last March. She asked me to help and I told her I couldn't afford it but she took it upon herself to go ahead and have it done anyway. Now according to the Maryland guidelines they add the total amount of the braces in my increase. These braces cost 5500.00 and they are wanting me to pay the entire amount. We have joint custody and in our divorce papers it states we have to agree on any major decisions regarding our child. My support is being increased from 200 a month to 507.00 a month. Why should I have to pay for the entire amount shouldn't she be responsible for half. What happened to Fathers Rights. I haven't seen or talked to my daughter in over 3 years and that is how the ex wants it that is how she has always wanted it, but she continues to want my money. We go to court on the 9th of Nov. I need some advice, do I have a chance of beating her in court. Also we have a signed legal document stating I can take my daughter as an exemption on my taxes on the even years and last year (2006 my year) when I went to do my taxes online it came back and let me know that my daughters SSN had already been used so my ex claimed her as an exemption when she knew it was my year and I lost a refund of 1400.00, I feel I should be able to apply that to what I owe on the braces. I am also contemplating have a DNA test before court, I am not 100% sure she is even my daughter I have no idea how much this cost. Someone please give me some advice.

 

[Duranie]

Is there a visitation order? Sounds like you need to get a more specific order set up, or take the ex back to court for contempt. You should google some fathers rights groups in MD to see if anyone has some advice on hoe to file a motion but without an attorney it will be difficult. If you have not seen your daughter in 3 years, that is partially your fault. You need to grow a backone to your ex and make her comply to the visitation order.

Also what does the decree say about who pays for medical and dental? You probably owe at the minimum half but you could definitely argue you should not have to pay the full amount.

As far as claiming hr on taxes, unless it is in the court order, you don't get too. You can also bring this up in court but I highly recommend you talk to an attorney for guidance.

 

[gnkw]

Is there a visitation order? Sounds like you need to get a more specific order set up, or take the ex back to court for contempt. You should google some fathers rights groups in MD to see if anyone has some advice on hoe to file a motion but without an attorney it will be difficult. If you have not seen your daughter in 3 years, that is partially your fault. You need to grow a backone to your ex and make her comply to the visitation order.

Also what does the decree say about who pays for medical and dental? You probably owe at the minimum half but you could definitely argue you should not have to pay the full amount.

As far as claiming hr on taxes, unless it is in the court order, you don't get too. You can also bring this up in court but I highly recommend you talk to an attorney for guidance.

There is nothing about health or dental in our divorce decree it only states I have to pay 50 a week. As for not seeing my daughter, that is because her mother wants her all to herself and always has, my daughter doesn't want to come see me either, the last time I had her all she wanted to do was go home to her mothers. And yes as I stated before there is a legal amendment that her and I agreed on and had notorized stating I would claim her every even year.