How Do I Pay Child Support When I Have No Job

by Robbie Usher
(Springfield, MO)

I recently became separated from my soon to be ex-wife. About two weeks after we separated, I began paying child support, on my own with no court order, in the amount of $150 per week. After 4-5 weeks, I reduced it to $98 a week so I would have a little extra money for myself. Up to my court date on the 21st of July, I paid child support on my own. On the 9th of July I lost my job as a police officer. My lawyer tried to get the child support order suspended until I found a job. The judge denied the request. So beginning August 1st, I was ordered to pay a total of $614 a month. Of which $300 is spousal maintenance. I am the unemployed one here. My soon to be ex is a substitute teacher and getting ready to teach a basketball class to little kids. So basically she has 2 jobs and I am having a very difficult time finding 1 job. Yet I get ordered to pay. It is almost September 1st. I will owe another $614. I received a letter from child support enforcement a few days ago stating if I don't pay, they will suspend my license, so I wont be able to drive to work, and they might suspend my license for my occupation.

So I won't be able to go to work and I won't be able to even work the job I love doing. I want my son to be taken care of. I want the best for him. But I just can't pay anything until I get a job. I certainly do not mind paying child support. I think the $300 a month spousal maintenance is a little much, when she is working 2 jobs. I have put in close to 20 applications for jobs ranging from Walmart to Lowe to every police and sheriffs department in and around where I live. The stress is really getting to me. I am very worried I won't get hired at a job that is doing my background check right now because of the child support that I owe. The stress is causing me to have major heart burn. I am eating a bottle of tums a month. I NEED HELP!!