Child Support Modification Question

[proudmomofBug]

My jurisdiction is: Florida

Child support was established for my daughter in April 2008. In September 2008 she was diagnosed with ADHD mixed type. In May 2009 I had to leave my job to file for disability. My disability lawyer is giving me a time frame of between 1 1/2 - 2 years before I am able to receive disability. As I have absolutely no income other than the child support at this point, I am filling out a Request for Support Order Review. The application asks if there have been any changes in the needs of the child. All of my daughter's medical expenses are covered by Medicaid. So does her diagnosis constitute a change in her needs? If not, could you give me some idea of the kinds of things that do constitute a change in the child's needs (in laymen's terms). Thank you, your help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Duranie]

I fail to see why Dad should pay more child support because you are not working. It does not work that way. Child support is child support not adult support. I doubt the courts will give you more. If you have a legit disability, you will get retroactive disability if you are approved. What disability is keeping you from working? Your child does not have a disability where you are required to care for the child 24/7. Lots of kids have ADHD. I have no idea why this would constitute a change of circumstance. If you do not work and want more child suppoty, you can expect this will anger dad and you might see yourself getting sued for custody.

 

[proudmomofBug]

I understand that child support is not "adult support". The sarcasm was not necessary. Without getting into to much of my personal problems, I have a degenerative joint disease, and have had 3 surgeries in the past 6 months, with many more to come, along with anxiety attacks and BPD. So I am unable to walk now without crutches, and within a year will probably be confined to a wheelchair. So, yes, I have a legitamite disability. I filed last month, and my lawyer has informed me it will be about two years before the entire process is approved. I know I will get reimbursed through disability for those two years, but that doesn't help me now. At this point I have no income at all, and won't for 2 yrs. So I have gone from making $25K a year to $0. I think that's a substantial change. So as far as "adult support", I wouldn't care if it was just me, I'd find a way to survive. But how would you raise your child on zero dollars for two years? And as for "dad" he has no interest in being a part of her life at all, so there are no worries over custody. About the needs of the child I was simply unsure of what constituted a change in the need of the child. I didn't think ADHD would, but just wanted to make sure. Sorry this is longwinded. I do appreciate your response, I was just taken aback a bit by the sarcasm.

 

[proudmomofBug]

I realize child support is not "adult support." I am not choosing not to work, I physically can't work. A legit disability. I'm not going to get into my medical history, but I have a degenerative joint disease. I've had 3 surgeries in 6 months, with more to come. I cannot walk without crutches, and I will probably be in a wheelchair by the time I'm 30 (in 5 years). I also have BPD and severe panic attacks, whic have cost me many jobs in the past. I know I will get retroactive disability, but I won't be approved for over a year and a half. So how would you support your child on $0 for almost two years? And dad won't be angered, first of all he understands the circumstances, secondly, he has no intention of being a part of her life. All I wanted to know was if my childs medical condition constituted a change in her needs or not. A simple "no, that doesn't meet the requirements" would have been sufficient. Didn't need the sarcasm. But thank you for the reply.