Dad`s Child Support Is Not Enough to Pay My Bills

Описание: Child support hearing. Here's a summary of the key points:

The Case: Miss Delgado (formerly Flores) is seeking a modification of her child support order. She has three children with Mr. Flores, one of whom, Janita, has severe special needs requiring 24/7 care. Mr. Flores' income has significantly decreased since the previous order, resulting in insufficient child support to cover Delgado's expenses, especially when she is unable to work due to Janita's health issues.

The Disagreement: The main point of contention is the amount of child support. Delgado argues that Flores' reported income is significantly lower than his actual earnings, and the current proposed amount is insufficient to cover even basic expenses, particularly rent, when she has to take extended time off work for Janita's medical needs. Flores claims he was laid off from his high-paying job in Odessa and is now earning significantly less in El Paso. He argues his current income accurately reflects his pay stubs.

The Evidence: Delgado presents evidence of Janita's significant medical needs and the substantial time she must take off work to care for her. She provides estimates of out-of-pocket expenses for diapers, wipes, and other supplies not covered by Medicaid. Flores provides pay stubs reflecting his current lower income. Both parties discuss Janita's Social Security Disability benefits.

Key Takeaways:

Special Needs Child: The significant impact of a child with special needs on a support order is central to the case.
Income Discrepancy: A major point of contention is the difference between Mr. Flores' reported income and Miss Delgado's belief about his actual income.
Medicaid and Insurance: The role of Medicaid and the lack of insurance coverage for the children play a significant role in the financial situation.

The transcript highlights the complexities of child support cases, particularly those involving children with special needs and fluctuating incomes. The judge attempts to balance the needs of the child with the financial realities of both parents.

Mother (Ms. Delgado):

Daughter's Condition: Her eldest daughter has significant health issues (undiagnosed syndrome), requiring frequent hospital stays, and recently needs a surgical procedure to address chronic constipation. This impacts her ability to work consistently.
Financial Situation: She pays $700 in rent and receives no government assistance. Child support from Mr. Flores was previously sufficient to cover their rent and bills when she wasn't working. She is not asking for a large amount, just enough to cover rent if she has to stop working due to her daughter's health.
Daughter's Expenses: She spends approximately $100-$150 monthly on items not covered by Medicaid (diapers, wipes, baby cereal, bottles, and liners). Her daughter's condition necessitates specialized, expensive diapers.
Other Children: Her two younger children are healthy and their needs are relatively basic, with occasional out-of-pocket expenses for glasses. They currently have Medicaid.
Mr. Flores's Employment: She is aware that he was laid off from Halliburton in Odessa but believes the layoffs may be cyclical. She does not have detailed knowledge of his current financial situation, other than he is now working as a diesel mechanic in El Paso.
Communication: Communication with Mr. Flores is not ideal but has improved recently with him seeing the children more often.
Father (Mr. Flores):

Employment: He works as a diesel mechanic at JHL Transport in El Paso, earning a bi-weekly salary of around $1200. He states this is the average pay for diesel mechanics in the area. He was previously employed at Halliburton in Odessa, but experienced significant layoffs that he believes are cyclical, occurring every 4-6 years. He doesn't receive bonuses or benefits at his current job, including health insurance for his children.
Daughter's Condition: He is aware of his daughter's special needs.
Child Support: He agrees to indefinite child support but believes his daughter receives Social Security benefits (estimated at $700 previously) that should cover her expenses. He is willing to contribute $150 towards additional expenses.
Communication: He acknowledges limited communication with Ms. Delgado.
Overall:

The hearing centers on determining an appropriate level of child support considering the mother's need for financial assistance due to her daughter's complex medical condition and the father's employment situation and willingness to contribute. The judge will likely consider the father's income, the daughter's ongoing medical expenses, and the mother's income and ability to work when making a decision on the amount of child support. The fact that the daughter receives Social Security benefits will also likely play a role in the judge's decision. The lack of detailed communication between the parents is evident, which complicates the situation.