Scurlock

BACKGROUND

A. Petition to Establish Paternal Relationship and Request for Child Support

Several weeks after mother gave birth to A.J. in October 2013, father filed a petition to establish a paternal relationship and a request for full legal custody of the child. Mother filed requests for physical custody of the child and for child support. On April 21, 2014, the court (Judge Lori Behar) issued a minute order awarding the parties joint legal custody of A.J., and father partial visitation. In a May 23, 2014 order, father was ordered to pay mother child support in the amount of $1,313 per month commencing November 15, 2013. He was also found to be in arrears in the amount of $6,471.50. Father filed a request for modified custody and visitation on May 29, 2014. Following a hearing on father’s request, on July 29, 2014, the

3 court granted father increased custody and visitation commencing August 15, 2014. In its order, the court restated that father was to pay mother $1,313 per month in child support, and additionally ordered father to pay one-half of $350 per week in childcare costs commencing retroactively as of January 1, 2014. In the event the parties could not agree on an…