A.R.
Hi L.,
I actually am on the other side of that coin whereas my husbands ex-wife has tried to nail him for more money than required by law because she feels it is his obligation to pay for 100% of the kids expenses in both homes. (Which she cannot do)So I am fairly familiar in the child support arena.
Basically, since the Law is "a women has the right to choose" & is the sole "caregiver" for the baby until it is born the father (if he is not your husband & he doesn't carry you under his insurance) is not required to pay for any of your medical or doctor bills. But I am sure there are ways around that if he knew you were pregnant, & he was the father etc...
Also, The child can receive up to approx. 20% of his NET (not gross)income. If he has an hourly job & works overtime, the overtime is not included. If he has 1, 2, or more jobs it doesn't matter as he will have to provide work verification, & tax documentation for all his jobs as well as be registered through the child support office which you can have garnish his wages. After your child support is settled, and should he get a raise or a second job you cannot revisit the issue for 3 years or if there is a significant change in your situtation. For example, sever or major health issues concerning your child, marriage, etc... He also has the right to revisit the situation should there be significant changes in his life, that being a job loss, decrease in pay, marriage, more children,etc...
If he has more children by another women then your child's percentage goes down by a percent or two. As far as garnishing his wages, it may sound ugly but it actually saves a bunch of headache as you will never have to worry about checks in the mail, or seeing the babies dad other than visitation. It sounds as though he doesn't want to be a part of your childs life & you may just be witnessing a sign from GOD that you are better of without him. You might prepare yourself to just have him sign papers to remove his rights as the babies father & wash your hands of him. If he is not fatherly material than your child is better off. As this should be about the wellfare of the CHILD ONLY. Not any hidden agenda on the parents part.
The checks will always go through the child support office, which delays you receiveing them until they have been processed, which takes about a week. Also, they cannot send you a check if the babies father hasn't mailed it to them so then you are still waiting on him to pay. We actually have my husbands work take the money out of his checks so we never have to waist a stamp or have to physically mail her a check. It actually reduces much of the potential animosity which can arise in these situations.
Hope this helps you. Good Luck & God Bless.