Ex-wife owes me child support, but is on welfare. What do I do?

Answer 1

Unfortunately not much you or the courts can do... Public assistance is not considered an income, as long as she is on public assistance child support cannot do any collections- As a matter of fact if your ex-wife is unable to get a job and decides to file for a motion to suspend the child support order it may be granted... Contact your local child support office and request/demand for a hearing but it may not get u anywhere if she is not working! I'm sorry but just be patient and pray that she goes back to work soon or that she comes to a settlement, wins the lotto or opens a bank account- if she does then that money will be levied or intercepted- Good Luck!

PS: If u believe that she may be working off the books u can report it to the local welfare agency as she will be committing welfare fraud and when or if your child support goes to court for enforcement you may want to try to ask for a lump sum payment if u in fact believe she is working off the books-

Answer 2

You know, I am on both ends of that..I pay out support every week (with no arrearages I might add) and I am also supposed to receive....Well....The ex that is supposed to pay me, quit paying about 5 years ago..Being a typical male, I took the 'Who cares I don't need that loser's money No way' approach. In the end, it was irrelevant. The State of Ohio drug her into court, suspended her license, and told her she had until December 21 to pay up or Ho Ho Ho Happy Holiday's Courtesy of Butler County Jail!

If I were you, I wouldn't expect to get the money right away, but i would rely heavily on whatever child support enforcement your state/county might employ. Although she is on welfare, she is obligated under law to help support that child, no matter what..

In the end, she might only have to pay you say $25 a week, but pay she has to and pay she will. Put into your search engine, the county and state you live in and with that, add the words child support enforcement..Research it a little, you will find out what your rights as a custodial parent are.

Answer 3

Welfare- Basicly, the ex-wife doesn't make enough money to support herself so the goverment is funding her existance.


Inform social services or whichever goverment organization that funds welfare of the situation. Perhaps they can put her on the spot, or give you some ideas on what to do.

Answer 4

Bring her to court, child support is not taken lightly eventhough she is on welfare, they might give you part of her cash assistance if she gets that. But def talk to a lawyer.

Answer 5

be thankful you are not in her shoes. and you have the kids. take her to court and they will make her get a job and pay child support. may not be a huge sum but some is better then none.........

you what pisses me off. ( I am a lady) But if it were a man who was not paying support the system would have the guys a$$ in court of jail and making him pay. Ladies should have to pay just like men do.

Answer 6

Can't squeeze blood from a turnip. If you take her to court, they may opt to reduce the amount she owes, but it really depends on the state you live in. In Texas, if you owe and can't pay, you go to jail until it's paid. (another reason Texas is so great.)

Answer 7

talk to family support, regardless of where her income comes from if you are custodial, then she will have to pay. Child support enforcement will take care of it.

Answer 8

You want to collect money from someone on Welfare? Good luck.
(Talk to your lawyer.)

Answer 9

bring her to cort.... welli have 1 question whats welfare

Answer 10

sue the state