"Listen up gangstas and honeys with ya hair done
Pull up a chair hon' and put it in the air son
Dog, whatever they call you, god, just listen
I spit a story backwards, it starts at the ending".
-Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones
Hello world. It's been about a year since I've written and I do apologize for my virtual absence. I have so much to offer you by way of words and poetry. Ya'll been missing out. Know that the only thing that can stop me from writing is severe Depression. I'll get into that later. Two years ago I went through the judicial court system to stop the father of my children (remember TN?) from physically assaulting my 6 year old (at the time) Autistic son. What followed is a story that is most traumatizing and unfortunately an everyday occurrence in our society, I've come to discover. That's all I will tell you about the beginning. If you know anything about me know that I am a lover of facts and a fighter for integrity. So that is all I will present you with now. Facts and an assurance that even with my back to the wall I did not compromise on my integrity. And I never will....
The courts denied me the right to move 2 hours away with my children so custody went to the father. Here lies documentation ordering me to pay child support in the amount of $1,107.00 under the assumption that I earn $2,250.00. This is inaccurate however we can do the math on that just for fun anyway.
$2,250.00 Monthly Gross Income
-$1,107.00 Child Support
_______________________
$1,143.00 (What's left after Child Support)
Okay. I live in the DMV (D.C, Maryland, Virginia) area. For fun let's make rent an even $1000
$1,143.00 (What's left after Child Support)
-$1,000.00 (Rent in the DMV area)
___________________________
$ 143.00 (What's left after Child Support and Rent)
$143.00 left to pay for the car that's going to get me to work, food to feed the children when they're with me and then there's other bills but that's not my concern. My concern in my contribution to society and my children. $143.00 to feed them when they're with me and to maintain a vehicle to drive them around safely in. Auto Insurance and the note alone has me in the hole.
Now I want you to imagine that my salary wasn't accurately reflected because I work for an Autism school (a career change inspired by my son but we'll talk about that later) and so the Summer schedule includes less days of work which means I actually earn less that what was assumed. Imagine me presenting that evidence and being told by all parties involved that the truth no longer mattered. Imagine going to your child's parent and explaining what you truly earn and they put you on speaker phone to make sure your children hear them tell you that you are a abandoning them. We'll talk about that later too.
To anyone going through this stay up. Do NOT compromise on your integrity. Your children will eventually see the truth for themselves. Don't bash their other parent. The other parent doesn't matter. Focus on your love for them. Just show up however you can and be the light they need. Remember that the best way to win with toxic people is not to play at all. Always take the high road.
Some more email exchanges for fun:
On Wednesday, October 31, 2018, Stephanie Duran <sduran@pjilaw.com> wrote:
Ms. Douglass,I hope this email finds you well. Pursuant to Judge Weimer's instructions, I have prepared a Custody, Visitation and Support order that reflects his ruling on October 15, 2018. I have not yet obtained a copy of the transcript but will promptly provide a copy to you once I have received it from Anita Glover's office. The partial transcript, which includes the findings and ruling, will be incorporated by reference in the final order.There is some additional language in the agreement such as travel with the children that was not specifically ordered by Judge Weimer, but I included it in the event you find it agreeable.If you have any questions about the order, please don't hesitate to contact me. If there's anything else you'd like to propose or anything you disagree with, please let me know as soon as possible. The portion highlighted in yellow indicates information that I am missing. If by November 9 you will have a different address, please provide that address.I've attached the child support guideline worksheet for your reference.
|
Oct 31, 2018, 1:01 PM
|  | ||
| ||||
That’s not my gross monthly income.
|
Wed, Oct 31, 1:51 PM
| | ||
| ||||
I will provide documentation from HR. The judge never took my pay stubs. Your numbers do not reflect my income. Numbers don’t lie.
On Wednesday, October 31, 2018, Stephanie Duran <sduran@pjilaw.com> wrote:
Ms. Storm,Thank you for your prompt feedback. I recall Judge Weimer finding your gross annual income to be $27,000, which means your gross monthly income is $2,250. We can certainly wait to sign the order until we receive the transcript verifying this information. I will notify Mr. Davidson that you do not agree with the out-of-state travel language.
|
Oct 31, 2018, 1:58 PM
| | ||
| ||||
The evidence was never looked at. It was all verbal. In my distressed state I may not have heard well to verbally correct him. I have that same evidence and will provide such.
On Wednesday, October 31, 2018, Stephanie Duran <sduran@pjilaw.com> wrote:
Storm,
The evidence you presented to the court is that you earn $12 per hour and work full time. Based on that evidence, the Judge found your gross annual income to be $27,000, which you did not dispute. $12 x 40 hours x 52 weeks = $27,040.
|
Oct 31, 2018, 3:38 PM
| | ||
