My wife's ex has never paid child support for the last 15 years. Should we pursue him?

Answer 1

I had been a single parent forr a long time without receiving child support my kids are now 16-17-18 years old if you really need the money i say go for it, but if you don't let it go it just may be more trouble than its worth .... trust me i know. In my situation it just caused too much heartache for the children and too much stress on current relationship. God Bless and hope all is well with your family

Answer 2

Was there a child support amount set up in the divorce decree? If so, then she should have contacted the State Child Support Divison informing them of his whereabouts and they could then pursue contacting him. They garnish wages & income tax returns....it is very hard sometimes if they do not know where the ex is located, especially if it is an ex that changes jobs frequently. It is up to your wife to want to proceed with this and whether the child plans on attending college or buying a home, the ex should be providing financial support. Does the ex have visitation and does he practice it? If it is an ex that doesn't visit the child, then it sounds like someone who didn't care..period. This is all something that your wife must really want to do, and for some reason it hasn't mattered for the last 15 yrs.

Answer 3

That is a question only your wife and her children should ponder. She by all fairness to the children should have pursued this from the start, in my opinion it was irresponsible for her to not insure that the father help support his children, but that was the choice that she made, if she now has changed her mind it should be something SHE works out, If she asks for your advice then of course you need to express your opinions when asked, but as for you crusading in her name , that's a no no. You married her and her children, and you signed on to supporting them all in love and life, seeking financial retribution from her ex after 15 years doesn't seem like YOUR place. My advice is just to be supportive of whatever your wife and kids decide to do.

Answer 4

Its not about what he has or hasnt paid its how is that child feeling???? My ex is the same way its just gotten to the point where my son dont care to talk to him now or to try to find him. Its a shame that more parents don't pay their childsupport. Its set there to help to raise those children. So I think she should do to it would help make life a little eaiser for everyone.

Answer 5

Yes, go through your local child support enforcement. It may take a while. But, eventually you will get child support (If it was ordered by a judge) including back child support.

Answer 6

It depends...are you in need of financial support or are you just looking for fluff money? Is he well off and has money to spare or is he in debt as it is and asking for unneeded support would cause him grief? This is a matter between your wife and her ex that should only be pursued if it is in the child's best interest.

Answer 7

only if he has been involved in the child's life. child supports=rights to that child. I know many people won't understand, and it may seem to offer finical help (after the lawyers get their fill) but a child stuck between two people that hate each other opens up hole new problems.

Answer 8

Yes, cause while he is not paying child support and he is working, he receives income taxes, which is not fair. He wanted to have kids, so he help create lives, so yes, take him to court and judge can enforce child support payments on him. Good luck.

Answer 9

i do no longer understand the way that even got here approximately interior the 1st place. State to state that style of factor is regarded at. despite the fact that, if the baby help replaced into in the process the state and not in elementary terms a verbal contract between him and her then he could for optimistic be waiting to sue her.

Answer 10

i don't know where you live, but, let me tell you something really funny that happened to me...
when my son's father and i got a divorce, my son was 6 months old...
i told my son's father that he could either pay his child support now or later...i guess he chose later...i tried to pursue it all through the years and finally they got someone in position in the courthouse in the child support enforcement unit that actually did her job....i talked to her and she told me that they could make him pay, regardless...i pursued it...the state began withholding child support from his wages...he is still paying child support...
my son is 33 years old!