Child Support/Custody

[Kasey]

I am not married never was and currently pregnant with twins. We live 2 hours from eachother in FL but next month he plans on moving to Chicago. He said he will fight for split custody because he refuses to pay any child support. He is more concerned about money then he is about the babies. How is child custody/support decided upon? I have no problem letting him see the babies but really do not want him to take them to Chicago. Is there any way I can prevent him from taking them to a different state? I plan on breastfeeding the babies because that is what is best for them! I will not be able to breastfeed if he takes them to Chicago. Please help!!

[Attorney Dawn Jackson]

The term "split custody" means something different to everyone. I am assuming he means that you will both have equal time with the children. Practically speaking, that is not a scenario that will work out with one parent living in Chicago and the other parent living in Florida. That is a schedule that will usually only work if the parents live in close proximity to each other and to the child's or children's school. child support is based upon a formula in Florida - it will add your incomes together, include costs for child care if there are any, costs for health insurance for the children, and finally consider the number of overnights that the children spend with each parent. Even if you share an equal number of overnights with the children, he could still end up paying child support depending on the difference in your incomes.