Child support case. Here's a summary of the key issues and events:
Case Background:
The case was previously handled by the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
Megan Brown (mother) switched representation to a court trustee to pursue contempt charges against Jeffrey Brown (father) for non-payment of child support.
A prior order modifying support was issued in February 2023, including income withholding orders for $1372 monthly plus arrears.
Contempt Issue:
Jeffrey Brown consistently failed to make timely and full child support payments. Payments were sporadic and often significantly less than the court-ordered amount.
The mother, Megan Brown, is considering applying for state resources for medical assistance and housing due to the father's non-payment and the child's special medical needs (a brain condition).
Jeffrey Brown's Defense:
He claims his inconsistent income is due to the unpredictable nature of his work in the oil fields, where he experienced periods of unemployment due to rig downtime. He presented documentation to support this claim.
He recently changed jobs from Murphy Drilling to Mudco, providing the court with their contact information.
The hearing highlights the challenges of enforcing child support payments when dealing with inconsistent employment and informal custody arrangements. The judge emphasized the importance of clear communication and formal legal processes to resolve these issues.
The last modification to the support order was in February of 2023, with income withholding orders already issued for the current amount due of $1,372 per month, along with arrears. However, the payer has had sporadic payments over the years, with some months receiving as little as $11. The payer claims to still be employed in the oil fields but states that the rig has been down, resulting in a decrease in earnings. The payer argues that the child support amount is more than what he made for the year. He has documents to show his earnings and explains that he filled in at a different place called T Mac while the rig was down. The recipient is looking for a consistent payment plan and prefers to have an income withholding order sent to a reliable employer. In the absence of a regular employer, the payer is requesting leniency due to fluctuating earnings in the oil field industry.
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