Page 127 of Getting Down to Business

Julie didn’t look happy but gave a quick nod of agreement.

Chanda’s father then pulled out another document.

“While we are officially convened, I also want to provide my request to have the custody arrangement reconsidered.”

“What?” Julie shouted. Her lawyer hushed her and reached for the copy she was provided.

“Joint 50/50,” the attorney read while Julie exploded.

“Never! That will not happen. She’s my daughter.”

“Ms. Phillips, I’ll ask that you please sit down. Lucy is also Mr. Phillips’s daughter.” The caseworker scowled at Julie and perched her glasses so she could read the document.

Doug was holding Chanda’s hand so tightly she could no longer feel her fingertips.

When the woman finally opened her mouth to speak—an eternity later—Chanda thought she might pass out from holding her breath.

“I see that Mr. Phillips has been the sole supporter of Lucy’s financial needs.”

“Ms. Phillips doesn’t work. She instead provides a home for Lucy,” Julie’s attorney said.

“It appears Mr. Phillips was paying for that home. And now she and Lucy live with someone else?”

“Yes.”

“Mr. Phillips, you have proven you can provide a safe home with a room for Lucy. You’ve provided financial support. I ask you—not your attorney—if there is a reason Lucy should not spend equal time with both parents.”

Doug swallowed and shook his head.

“No reason, ma’am. I’ll make sure she’s taken care of no matter where she’s living.”

“Then I grant temporary 50/50 custody. We’ll reconvene next month to examine the results. As dictated by the court, no parent is liable to pay support when the custody is equal between them. Meaning each parent is to supply the child’s needs during the time period said child resides with that parent. And, it being equal time, no parent owes the other parent for additional expenditures.”

“I’m going to lose my child support payments?” Julie’s eyes went wide and then narrowed on the woman in charge. “Hold on just a second. I need those payments.”

The women took off her glasses and looked at Julie in a way that made even Chanda nervous.

“I believe what you meant to say was that Lucy needs those payments.”

“Yes. Of course, that’s what I meant. I can’t take care of her without that money.”

“Your attorney has been given the projected income a person with your degree is expected to make. Support is based on actual payroll records, or if none are supplied, we use these projected figures. You have the potential to make the wage calculated on that document. My suggestion to you would be to supply your actual payroll records if you feel this number is too high.”

“I don’t have any payroll records.”

“Then this figure stands. If you cannot provide for your daughter, the court can give full custody to Mr. Phillips until a time when you can.”

Julie’s lawyer whispered again, too quickly for Chanda to hear. Julie nodded. “We’re fine with the judgment for today.”

Not waiting to be dismissed, Julie jumped up from her chair and glared at Chanda and Doug.

Chanda knew Doug well enough to know he would have given anything he had to make things easier for Lucy. Even agreeing to custody and alimony that weren’t to his benefit.

“This isn’t over.” Doug frowned. “She’s going to fight this.” If there was one thing Julie was good at, it was fighting.

“I expect your ex-wife will be very unhappy when I’m through. But my daughter is important to me, and I am fighting for your daughter as if she was my own.”

Chanda was touched by her father’s words. He’d always been so busy, she hadn’t realized he cared that much. Her parents were still happily married so there’d never been a need to fight over her. Still, it made her smile that she meant that much to him.

“Thank-you, Daddy.” She leaned her head on her father’s shoulder, hoping he could make things better as easily as he had when she was younger. Except her problems were more complex now.