Evidence Rules in Support Cases

Support cases are documentary. The parent whose evidence is clean, authenticated, and organized usually prevails.

The SDU ledger is the spine

The State Disbursement Unit record is the primary proof of what was owed and what was paid. Build your presentation around it and reconcile everything else against it.

Business records

Employer and bank documents come in as business records — which is why you subpoena them properly rather than relying on a party's summary. Paystubs, remittance reports, and account statements carry real weight when they arrive through the right channel.

Authenticating communications

Texts and emails are authenticated by context and by the phone numbers and addresses tied to them — keep the metadata, not just a screenshot.

Organize for the judge

Group exhibits by source and date, and build summary charts showing monthly gross income, insurance premiums, and childcare costs. Tie each exhibit to a specific issue so the court can follow the money at a glance.

Since 1997, the child support attorneys team at Sinkin Law Firm has recovered unpaid support for parents statewide.