Fall of 1998. I did make another attempt to petition for a change. It was again denied in a non-jury proceeding by a single "hearing examiner." At the time I was supposed to pay $120/week (based on the $40K income) -- I was actually paying $60/week (based on real income). It was denied and the appeal is very delayed.
Withholding support has never been part of my protest actions. The focus has always been on equal physical and legal custody for parents. When Domenic was living here I was paying $60/week, at state guidelines based on my actual income. The problem was a support level set at $120/week based on "imputed" income.
The Judge stated, "I should abandon my business (which was showing good growth), and take a regular job". I was not willing to do that. The reason I was not willing to abandon my business was that I choose to start my own business to afford me flexible hours, flexible time for Dom. The Judge also commanded me to stop the volunteer work I was involved in at a homeless shelter so I could work more. Dom used to help me "make sandwiches for the poor people." He saw how important it was by my actions, not words. Can you imagine a single person (the Judge) having that much power over your life? |
