J.R.
It takes 2 to have a child and your ex is responsible for support. If you don't need the money now, you can put it away in a college or emergency fund for your child.
As for the court system, it is best to attend whatever hearings they ask you to so you can understand what is going on. Take a book and a bottle of water because you will be sitting for a long time. Write down all your questions because when it is your turn, they will try to rush you in and out. I would highly suggest that you keep a notebook with all your paperwork as well as records of all your phone conversations with dates and names of persons spoken to. Unfortunately, records with the court seem to have a way of disappearing, so make sure you keep records to save yourself a lot of aggrevation.