It depends on the cause of your arrears. If you refused, than you were asking for it, but if you were laid off for a time, than I can understand.
There are no Government Outreach programs for fathers, like there are for mothers, to teach you how to get a child support modification, without the need to hire an attorney. With 80?f all layoffs being men, this is clearly a violation of the civil rights of fathers.
Here's what you need to know in getting your child support modified when you face a situation like this. This will not affect any arrears already owning.
Child Support Adjustments
You need to know that the child support guidelines are not set in stone. They are just guidelines. You can make a case for not paying so much.
1988 Public Law Record
SEC. 103. STATE GUIDELINES FOR CHILD SUPPORT AWARD AMOUNTS.
(A)(a) GUIDELINES TO CREATE REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION.-Section 467(b)
of the Social Security Act is amended-
(1) by inserting (1) after (b):
(2) by striking, "but need not be binding upon such judges or other officials;" and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(4) "There shall be a REBUTTABLE presumption, in any judicial or administrative proceeding for the award of child support, that the amount of the award which would result from the application of such guidelines is the correct amount of child support to be awarded. A written finding or specific finding on the record that the application of the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate in a particular case, as determined under criteria established the State, shall be sufficient to rebut the presumption is that case."
You need to file a motion to modify your child support. If you are current in your support, you can do this by making an official request for a modification at the child support enforcement office under the provisions of Public Law 12.
If there are arrears, contact the Clerk of the Court and request forms for filing for a modification, Pro Se.
You will need to get a copy of the child support guidelines and worksheet from child support enforcement to determine if you have cause for a reduction. There needs to be at least a 20?ifference in his payment.
NEVER pay your child support directly to the mother as it can be considered a gift and not support. Always pay threw the court.
If you want to learn how to do all this go to Dads House in Yahoo Groups. When you join, you’ll receive a link to an educational manual that will teach you what you need to know. Take the time to learn what you can and should do.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/DadsHouse/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZkuqnQJVLM