First off, let me shine some light on my situation. I'm a single 28 yr old who makes 55k/year, has a 6-month old son with my ex and just got out of a mediation room at the courthouse. I have joint legal custody but allowed her physical custody for agreement on increased overnights as he gets older. I have been the most stand-up father so far; paying for all his food and daycare and the mothers bills while she was home with him from work; all while maintaining my own residence. I have him 8 overnights/month and 2 additional days. My gross monthly is $4,583, and monthly expenses come to about $3000 without his daycare and formula. After taxes, I am currently upside down. The state of vermont made me do a financial affadavit that indicated as such. The child support order they tried getting me to agree to was $786/month ($181/week). That would put me in the street; literally. I feel so helpless right now, I'm not feeling right in the head. I don't know what to do, I feel like no-one in the whole system cares about the fathers' rights or ability to live, especially after I tapped myself going above and beyond with my ex's expenses so far. Forget money for cars, bikes, or play, I feel like I'm being thrown out on the street. Any shared experiences or advice is welcome, I feel beaten down and helpless right now.