Child Support Increased From 240 To 1200 A Month

by Timothy
(oregon, California)

My son was born when I was 18 years old to a girl a barely knew. Ive never established paternity, although I have had some doubts as to if he is my son, but regardless I went into the navy shortly after finding out my sons mother was pregnant to be able to support him.

I was ordered to pay 240.00 a month, which I have paid for 12 years now. I was able to see my son a couple of times when he was younger, but it was difficult because of the navy. My ex-girlfriend remarried shortly after my son was born, and my son has believed this was his father all these years. When I got out of the navy 4 years ago, I took a job that would put me closer to my son so that I could set up visitation with him, but when I talked with his mother she informed me that he had Asperger's and the Dr's advised that it was a bad idea to confuse him.

Thinking I was doing the best thing for him, I agreed to stay away. This past year I received papers for a modification for child support, I sent in my information, wsnt concerned about fighting it feeling an increase to 500.00 a month seemed fair ( I was thinking that is what it might be).

They came back and increased it to 972.00 mo. Between all this I got back into contact with my sons mother, because I wanted to see if it was possible to be able to see him. I had not seen him in 10 years. I wanted to contact a child psychologist to find out what the repercussions of this would be for my son, but before I was able to, my sons mother told him about me. I found out that my son was never diagnosed with Asperger's.

I want to find out what I can do, to set up visitation with my son, and also get child support reduced. My sons mother has not worked for over a year, in fact she quit a 10 year job she had with Oregon state to move to California, and then shortly move back to Oregon, both times mid school year. There is a lot more to this, she also received a 90k inheritance in 2009 that she blew away within 4 months.

I have just gotten married, and my wife has 4 children. Because of this support order I lost my house. Any advice would be appreciated.