DH is really starting to freak out. I just keep reassuring him it will be fine and no judge in their right mind wouldn't lower child support for someone who has been unemployed for 18 months. DH has been desperately trying to find a comparable job and hasn't even been able to find a job with a 50% or more pay cut in his field. BM2 (who he is taking to court) even attempted to help him find a job as she is in HR at a major consulting firm, and still no luck (so she can't argue he isn't trying).

He has copies of literally hundreds of emails and linkedin messages, job applications, etc he has sent.

He has a call with his lawyer this morning to get a better understanding on what they will "grill" him on. DH had to submit financial documentation for the last 2 years on every dollar we spent, his savings, etc. DH has bought some expensive camera gear, but he always sells old stuff to help cushion it. He is an amazing photographer and is trying to make some income off of that to help. He has had a few gigs and made about $1700 in the last 2 months at a maternity shoot and headshot shoots, so it is working. Our argument is also he has never missed a CS payment ever and has drastically reduced our savings by continuing to pay this crazy woman $2900 a month while unemployed.

We tried to settle out of court for $1200 and then went up to $1700 but BM2 refused, but she did "graciously" offer to lower her payments to $2500 temporarily. She also tried to claim her baby with her new husband's nanny and her cleaning lady as necessary expenses that DH must contribute towards? She is so entitled it is insane.

DH's lawyer seems to be very good, and because BM wouldn't settle he filed for the minimum calculation (around $700/month) PLUS return child support for all these months he has overpaid. I doubt DH will get that, but any reduction would help. DH has spent about $12,000 so far just in lawyers fees for this nonsense, so even if they lowered is to $1900 a month we would cover the lawyers fees in just a year and save over $150,000 over the course of CS until they age out. Totally worth fighting.

In discovery, DH's lawyer found out that BM2 is making over $140,000 per year at her job on top of the almost $35,000 in tax free child support she gets from DH. They live in an enormous house on acres of land, with a zipline and a pool and 2 grills and giant brand new washer dryers and 2 new cars etc etc. We are living in a 1 BR apartment clipping coupons and I walk or bike to work so we don't have to spend the money on public transport. Enough is enough. DH's income for the year is now $1700. WOOOOOOOO we are RICH!

Keep your fingers crossed for us. This has been extremely stressful. As many of you know, I'm a 29 year old SM of 4, and the sole bread winner. SDstb17 is also a Type 1 Diabetic which is extremely expensive, and all 4 skids and DH are on my insurance. We've had so many hits this year (DH getting injured, 3 jobs that came so close and he didn't get, my cancer scare) and we just need SOMETHING good to happen. Lowered CS would be a Christmas miracle and would really make me be able to breathe easier this holiday.

DH is a wonderful and involved father, who has a great relationship with all skids. He has tried to offer $1700 a month for CS (which we would still be paying with savings) and she still wouldn't accept it. Keep us in your thoughts for a win. Sorry for this long stream of consciousness.

Edit: I should note court is tomorrow 8am CST and lawyer estimates it should last 3 hours. Lawyer said this is it....even if her lawyer requests additional time the most they can get is 3 hours, so the decision will be made tomorrow.