Until you are in a situation you have no idea about its realities. Until I
was sued for child support I had no idea how destructive the system could be. I
worked my way out of the ghetto and poverty. I went on to college, medical
school and a fellowship. I set upon a quest to start my own practice.
In college I was married. I was divorced during my residency. I was sued for
child support and somehow I lost although she made more money than me, we had
joint custody with equal time and the kids went to school where I lived because
the schools were better. I fought back and the order was changed to no support
and split child care costs 50/50. 2 1/2 years later she makes even more money
and still makes more than me yet again somehow I have lost. This time the court
has ordered me to pay twice what I paid before based upon extrapolation of my
current employment. Her net income is actually $4480/month my net income/month
was extrapolated from my current employment to $5780/month (when it is actually
$3500/mo).
I work part-time 2 places while trying to start my own business. I have two
children with joint custody. I have $240K of student loan debt. I am paying $8K
in malpractice and yet somehow I am paying someone who makes $74K/year child
support in a joint situation? The net affect of all of this will be that I will
lose my apartment. My kids will lose their school. I live in a Philly suburb,
they attend one of the best schools in the area and she lives in Philadelphia
(where the state took over the schools).
I am struggling now to build my own practice. To secure my future and my
childrenís future. You can’t be fired or not have your contract renewed if
you are the owner. How can it be that a system that is supposed to protect
children is being used against me (and them ultimately)?
It seems like it’s all just an assembly line. Use a formula, move on to the
next case. I understand the need for a system. I also know that there are abuses
in any well intentioned endeavor. That doesn't help me at this point. I had a
lawyer the first time around. She didn't have a clue what she was doing. Because
I was new to the system I didn't know that she was clueless until it was too
late.
When I fought back I fought back on my own. This time I fought back again. I
cited cases and I documented everything that she has done to undermine my children's
future and still I lost. A formula was used and I was assigned an income.
I am broke and broken. My children's education is at risk. I will have to
move out of my apartment and in with family and friends until I can get on my
feet. The life that I had, that I was building with my children will be
destroyed. How long will it take me to recover? Will they ever recover?
