Too Many Child Support Concerns

by Cindy
(Asheville, NC)

My children have been in the custody of Social Services for 3 1/2 years. I have been paying child support ever since then. Two years ago I signed the relinquishment papers to speed up the process for my children to be adopted and out of foster care. I understand that signing these papers does not relieve from financial responsibility. I did not know this when I signed them though. My public defender wasn't one of the best and gave me very little advice. I have not seen my children in a year. Now I have a modification increasing my child support over $400 a month, for a total of $557 a month.

They have also sent a letter to my employer saying that I have to provide health insurance which is costing me $552 a month. This is a rough total of $1100 a month. My income before deductions is $1733. So once the child support and insurance come out I'm left with $633 a month and that's before taxes or anything come out of it. I went to court this morning and was given very little choice in the matter. I can lay down and take it and probably end up living in the street or I can hire a lawyer to fight it. Now I don't know where they think I'm going to get the money for a lawyer when I can't even pay my rent. Don't get me wrong. I love my children and don't mind taking care of them financially to a point. I know they are safe and taken care of. But how am I supposed to live? Any suggestions on what to do about my situation would be greatly appreciated.