Question about child support?

Question

For those who have gone after someone for child support, I was wondering how you started, getting a lawyer and how much does the lawyer charge you?

Answer 1

My sister contacted a local DA's office, and they began the search. They have a lot of resources available to them, and it didn't cost her anything to do it. If you have the guy's social security number, it makes things that much faster, but if you don't, they can get it. If he is holding down a job anywhere in the country, or collecting disability, they will be able to find him and garnish his wages. My sister is having her ex's disability checks garnished, and he was found living in AZ - she lives in WI. So they will find him anywhere.

Answer 2

Contacting the bar association is a good way to obtain recommendations for a lawyer. The prices most likely will vary. Have you thought about contacting your local social services office and see if they can help you collect child support? This may be a way of collecting your child support without the expense of an attorney. I'm not totally sure this will work but it is worth a try.

Answer 3

This is a very tricky one. My ex started out paying his support (because his sister was handling it for him) He quit paying and I was working 2 jobs trying to support my children. Even then it was difficult. So I called and was told to go to the probate judge and have a warrant issued for abandonment. (I really didn't want to do that but she convinced me that was the only way to get it started. I am in Georgia so I can only tell you my experience here. When we went before the judge the day after he was arrested he gave them a big sob story. He told them he even tried to give me a car towards the money he owed (he failed to mention that it did not run) They ended up reducing the amount that he had to pay. Now mind you the judge told him he still owed me the money but that was what he had to pay thru the court. He was only supposed to be paying $25 a week per child. They reduced it to $15 per week. I was not allowed to say a word at this hearing. He was working for the Atlanta transit driving a bus (MARTA)... making top pay. So eventually he decided to quit that job so I ended up getting nothing.

Now a friend of mine (male) was paying through the court. If he did not pay on time each week the cops would be at his door asking for the money. if he didn't have it he went to jail until he came up with it.

I have a friend that got a divorce after 23 years. Her husband was a pilot and she was actually awarded something like $1700 dollars per month. She had a great lawyer and was willing to pay whatever it took to stick it to him.

I didn't have that luxury at the time. I was just trying to survive.

So I guess what I am saying is that every case is different. I would start with Family and Children Services. If your ex has a job they will take your money straight off the top of his check and you won't have to even mess with him about it.

I wish you the very best of luck. I know how hard it can be.

Answer 4

I had a lawyer. But all I got was a court order that wasn't even guideline child support. He made over $3k a month and was only ordered to pay $32/week. He didn't even pay that.

Answer 5

Many county prosecutors (sometimes called district attorneys) will do this for you. Many have a special person or office just to pursue deadbeat dads and moms. I would start there because failure to pay spousal support is a criminal offense in most states. In some counties it is the department of human services that handles it. Go to your county courthouse and start there.

Rarely will you have to pay a private attorney.

Answer 6

You can go to a woman shelt and get one for free in some states

Answer 7

Check with your local Dept. of Social Services....Will likely do it for FREE!!