What Happens After a Child Custody Default Judgment? 

A court may issue a judgment for child custody or parenting time if one party fails to answer a complaint in a custody case or doesn’t appear in court to defend against a complaint. A default custody order is not something you want to be involved in, and it can be a huge setback for your family. 

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What Are the Steps to File a Motion to Vacate a Default Custody Judgment?

After a default judgment, you have a limited amount of time to ask the court to vacate it. You have up to one year from the date of the judgment to file a request with the court asking them to vacate it based on excusable default or lack of personal jurisdiction (bad service). If you don’t receive the judgment and you’re served with it, you also have up to one year from the date of service to ask the court to vacate it. 

You can ask to have the court order vacated by filing an “order to show cause” with the court or sending it in through mail. The “order to show cause” should explain why you believe the court should vacate the judgment. You should include a reason for your failure to appear at court, as well as a good defense to the plaintiff’s claims. 

What Are the Rules for a Child Support Case?

In a child support case, the court will look at your income and determine how much money you need to pay for your children. This is based on the Child Support Standards Act and is determined by a formula that takes your gross income into account. Some special expenses, such as health insurance costs or childcare costs, can reduce your income level for child support purposes. 

What Are the Differences Between Joint and Sole Custody?

In a joint custody case, both parents have the same rights and responsibilities towards their children. The parents share legal custody, which means they have to make major decisions together for the children, such as where they go to school or what religion they follow. They may also share physical custody, where the children live with each parent some of the time. 

What Are the Benefits of Getting Help in a Divorce or Family Law Case? 

A divorce case is a legal proceeding to decide property, alimony, and child custody matters. A person who files for a divorce is called a plaintiff. 

When a case starts, the plaintiff or petitioner files a complaint that tells the court the parties’ relationship to the children, how many children each parent has, and the amount of time the parents have with their children. A judge then determines the outcome of the case. 

What are the consequences of failing to pay child support?

When you fail to pay child support, your employer can get a court order to garnish your paycheck. They can also take your state or federal tax refunds before you can use them to pay your child support. OCSS can also garnish your bank account to get child support.