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Mzm, do not, I repeat, do not, attempt a divorce without a lawyer. Even if you are amicable at the time of the split, time can make people change (trust me I have been there and done that). Especially when a child is involved, and you are the man. Friend of the Court is not a pro-man agency, no matter what anyone says. I attempted my divorce without a lawyer, with my wife and I agreeing that I would not pay child support (quick aside, she inherited approximately $12 million from her parents' estate, me on the other hand, I make low 6 figures). We agreed that each person would be better served having the money to provide for the kids apiece.
Great idea in theory, until I met my current wife who is 15 years younger than her. She gets pissed and calls Friend of the Court who proceeds to sue me for not only current child support but for back child support.
Now, you are probably wondering why a millionaire would get child support. Well, let's just say that she had a creative financial advisor who took all of that money and invested it in growth stocks. When she needs money, she sells something that is currently running at a loss (thus generating capital loss on the tax returns), and guess what Friend of the Court looks at when determining child support payments. Yep, tax returns. So we have mine showing earnings in the six figures, and we have hers showing net losses. End story: I pay her 15$ thousand a year in child support.
I am currently locked in combat in court to try to right this injustice. And before I have anyone here saying child support is my responsibility, try saying that with a straight face to my ex-wife, who now lives on a lake, just built an indoor pool, has two (yes 2) boats, and is on her 9th vehicle since the divorce.
Moral of the story: Get a lawyer and have them handle the divorce. Feelings change
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