Oftentimes, parties to child support disputes manage to resolve issues through negotiations. The courts in many jurisdictions require these individuals to prepare a proposed child support order, which is submitted to the judge for review and approval, according to "The Complete Divorce Handbook: A Practical Guide" by Brette McWhorter Sember. Typically, this work is undertaken by attorneys representing the parents. However, if you are not represented by a lawyer, you may be called upon to prepare and file a proposed child support order on your own.
Step 1
Request a child support order form from the clerk of the court where the underlying case--divorce, legal separation or other family law proceeding--is pending. The typical court clerk provides different forms for people involved in family law cases without legal assistance.
Step 2
Place the caption of your case and case number at the top of the form, in the spaces indicated. This information is available on other documents in your case or from the court clerk.
Step 3
Set out the specific amount the non-custodial parent must pay each month for child support.
Step 4
Establish the date the child support obligation commences.
Step 5
Include a statement that child support will be collected using an income withholding order. The use of an income withholding order to collect child support is the standard practice in most jurisdictions today.
Step 6
Sign the proposed order. You and the other parent sign the document, alerting the judge that you are both in agreement on its contents.
Step 7
Submit the completed proposes child support order to the judge presiding in the case. You accomplish this by taking the original order to the judge's chambers and giving it to the administrative assistant.
Tips and Warnings
- Make sure you fully complete all sections of the child support order. If you leave anything blank, or make any mistakes, the judge will not sign the document. The proposed order will be returned to you and no child support order will go into effect.
Things You'll Need
- Child support order form
References
- "The Complete Divorce Handbook: A Practical Guide"; Brette McWhorter Sember; 2009
- American Bar Association: Section of Family Law
- FindLaw: Family Law Center
