It’s not news to any Seattle child support attorney when a man tries to avoid child support payments for his children. However, it is news when he owes support for 30 children, like a man from Tennessee who has made national news for his struggle to keep up with his many child support payments.
The story gained nationwide notoriety after a TV station in Memphis posted a story about Desmond Hatchett’s child-support struggles. Hatchett seems to hold the record for the highest number of children in Knox County. He’s believed to have fathered 13 children with 11 different women. At least 9 of those children were born over the last 3 years alone.
He has now appeared before a court, asking for a reprieve on his child support payments. He claims he is a minimum-wage worker, and is finding it hard to meet his child support obligations.
In Washington State, couples in a divorce have access to a child-support schedule designed by the state, which can be used as a calculator for child support payments. The support calculator will take into consideration a number of factors, including the number of children that are involved, the net income of the parents as well as the age of the children. Specific expenses that can affect the child-support schedule, including day care expenses must also be taken into consideration.
It’s very important that all child-support issues be determined in the best interests of the child. Although the state does make available a child-support schedule to make calculations easier, there can be plenty of confusion about these matters. It is highly recommended that you consult with an experienced Seattle child support attorney while making these decisions. It’s also important to consult with a lawyer when you want to have your child-support schedule modified for any reason, like a change of job or a change in your financial status.
