Judge Auntie Says
The Series

Five takeaways you
should know.

Bite-sized wisdom from the bench and the front porch — five takeaways at a time.

Episode · Child Support — Part 2

Five Takeaways You Should Know About Child Support — Part 2

The next five truths about child support — gross income, insurance, child-care, and when it ends.

  1. 01Support is calculated using gross income, not net.
  2. 02A parent may receive a reduction to offset for any other children they are supporting (that are not shared in common).
  3. 03Cost of health insurance, if available, is a part of the calculation.
  4. 04Cost for employment-related child care is part of the calculation.
  5. 05Support may be owed beyond the child’s 18th birthday (i.e., until they have graduated from high school or turn 19, whichever occurs first).
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Episode · Child Support — Part 2

Five Takeaways You Should Know About Child Support — Part 2

The next five truths about child support — gross income, insurance, child-care, and when it ends.

  1. 01Support is calculated using gross income, not net.
  2. 02A parent may receive a reduction to offset for any other children they are supporting (that are not shared in common).
  3. 03Cost of health insurance, if available, is a part of the calculation.
  4. 04Cost for employment-related child care is part of the calculation.
  5. 05Support may be owed beyond the child’s 18th birthday (i.e., until they have graduated from high school or turn 19, whichever occurs first).
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Episode · Child Support — Part 1

Five Takeaways You Should Know About Child Support — Part 1

Auntie’s plain-talk primer on how child support actually works — the first five things.

  1. 01There is no recovery for the months or years that it was never requested. Child support is awarded back to the date of filing.
  2. 02Because of #1, the person paying support may actually be behind (in arrears) by the time they get to court if they have not been making voluntary payments.
  3. 03Back-to-school clothes, Christmas gifts, birthday parties, and “buying Pampers” do not constitute child support.
  4. 04The income of BOTH parties is used to determine child support. The calculation is generally based on predetermined guidelines (i.e., it is not personal).
  5. 05Sharing equal time in parenting does not necessarily mean there will be no child support owed.
Open episode
Episode · Child Support — Part 1

Five Takeaways You Should Know About Child Support — Part 1

Auntie’s plain-talk primer on how child support actually works — the first five things.

  1. 01There is no recovery for the months or years that it was never requested. Child support is awarded back to the date of filing.
  2. 02Because of #1, the person paying support may actually be behind (in arrears) by the time they get to court if they have not been making voluntary payments.
  3. 03Back-to-school clothes, Christmas gifts, birthday parties, and “buying Pampers” do not constitute child support.
  4. 04The income of BOTH parties is used to determine child support. The calculation is generally based on predetermined guidelines (i.e., it is not personal).
  5. 05Sharing equal time in parenting does not necessarily mean there will be no child support owed.
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Episode · Protecting Your Peace

Five Takeaways You Should Know About Protecting Your Peace

A little Auntie wisdom for knowing when to step back, reset, and choose yourself.

  1. 01Not everything deserves a response — sometimes silence says everything that needs to be said.
  2. 02You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to — walking away can be more powerful than proving your point.
  3. 03Pay attention to what drains you — people, places, and situations can affect your energy more than you realize.
  4. 04“No” is a complete sentence — you don’t always owe a long explanation for protecting your time and energy.
  5. 05Make room for what brings you joy — peace isn’t just about removing negativity, it’s also about making space for the things that make life better.
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Episode · Contracts

Five Takeaways You Should Know Before You Sign Anything

A gentle warning from the bench about what to check before your name goes on the line.

  1. 01Read every line — yes, the fine print too
  2. 02Ask what happens if you can't fulfill the terms
  3. 03Never sign under pressure — sleep on it
  4. 04Always keep a signed copy
  5. 05If you don't understand it, don't sign it
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Episode · Family Court

Five Takeaways You Should Know About Family Court

What to expect, how to prepare, and why the judge is not your enemy.

  1. 01The judge is a neutral, not an ally
  2. 02Documents matter more than emotion
  3. 03Show up on time. Every time.
  4. 04Bring your own witness list — don't rely on the other side
  5. 05Take care of yourself outside the courtroom
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