u/Downtown-Fig-1670

I’m trying to understand how the financial picture being presented is consistent. He reports approximately $27,000 per year in income on his tax returns, yet owns a home valued near $1 million, operates or is connected to more than 40 LLCs, and previously maintained a mortgage payment of approximately $8000 per month before obtaining a hardship modification that reportedly reduced the payment to about $50 per month to the mortgage company due to the government shutdown period soon as child support case was as underway.

In discovery, he is claiming little to no available money or assets, but at the same time continues to discuss or plan elaborate trips and expenses for our child. I am concerned that the income reflected on the tax returns does not accurately represent his actual financial circumstances, cash flow, lifestyle, or access to resources.

would the Court to consider the totality of the financial evidence — including housing costs, mortgage qualification requirements, business interests, spending patterns, and lifestyle evidence — rather than relying solely on the income reported on tax returns.

So I hired a legal paraprofessional who quoted me $3,500 and told me I only needed to keep $750 in trust. Then, when my trust balance started getting low, she told me I needed to make a $5,000 deposit by a certain date — with only about five days’ notice. I explained that I could not afford a $5,000 replenishment. I told her I could make $800 monthly payments, which was one of the main reasons I hired her in the first place, because she offered a payment plan. She then told me that $800 a month was not enough.

Even before I told her about my financial situation, she was encouraging me to settle with my ex, despite my concerns that he is hiding money and that there are serious fraud issues involving my children.

Right now, our case is on inactive status, and the deadline is only a few days away. I asked the paraprofessional to request an extension because his discovery responses are incomplete, but she has not responded to my email at all. I also cannot file anything on my own unless she withdraws from the case first.

At this point, I feel stuck because the case could end up being dismissed, and I do not know what to do.