I am paying child support in one state, and being asked to pay it again in another state, please help?

Question

I've had a court order in the state of Ohio for the last nine years to pay child support. I am current with my payments. Two years ago, my ex moved to Kentucky. I recently recieved a letter from the state of Kentucky asking that I start making child support payments to thier child support collection agency. I sent them a copy of my court order from here in Ohio along with proof that I've been making payments here. I then contacted them a week later by phone to ask about my case. They said they were looking into it. I just recieved another letter today demanding $3,400 within the next 30 days or they're going to garnish my wadges. I don't understand how they can make a judgement against me, when I was never in court there. Also, according to the child support angency I am currently making payments to (here in Ohio), my ex is recieving those payments. I have little money and cannot afford a laywer, any advice?

I already sent them my court order and proof of payments by certified mail, and I even have the return signature card that the post office give's you back when sending things certified. But what good are they, when the Kentucky child suppoert angency aparently isn't paying much attention to it anyway. Should I hire a attorney from Ohio or Kentucky if it comes down do it?

Also, just because she moved to Kentucky doesn't mean I stop paying Ohio. I pay Ohio, they then send her a check wherever she may be living. When I checked with the agency I've been paying to, they said she is still cashing her checks they are sending her.

Also, just because she moved to Kentucky doesn't mean I stop paying Ohio. I pay Ohio, they then send her a check wherever she may be living. When I checked with the agency I've been paying to, they said she is still cashing her checks they are sending her.

Answer 1

Talk to the Ohio folks and see if they can intercede on your behalf for you. Then talk to your local state representative. They are very good at straightening out the red tape. Good luck.

Answer 2

First of all I apologize we do not have leadership in Congress or the White House that cares about people and justice.
When I am faced with these types of questions I do what is fair, reasonable and honorable.
If I knew for certain that my ex-wife wanted the money sent to Kentucky for the care of my child I would send the payments there.
Please notify Ohio with a certified letter that your wife has moved and you are sending the money to her.
What you recieved from Ohio is a form letter spitted out for the benefit of Ohio not the welfare of your child. They are just trying to collect money and that's what they do.
Keep good records to make sure you can tell Ohio that your doing your duty.
Thank you for doing clerical work for the State of Ohio. The large oil companies and other large corporations thank you as well. Bush and the republicans gave them the money instead of the services for guys like you so now you have to pick up the slack.

Answer 3

If she has established residency for herself and the child in Kentucky, she is able to "domesticate" the child support order in Kentucky, i.e., transfer the jurisdiction over the case to a Kentucky court. The Ohio Court order should have ended on the transfer of jurisdiction, but you apparently are winging it without a lawyer and suffering the consequences.

If you were personally served with notice of the Kentucky action, you had the legal obligation to show up and explain the situation to the court.

Answer 4

Similar situation happened to my Boyfriend. He is paying his ex-wife by paycheck deduction and the Friend of the court said he was not paying. He went and got proof from his employer and his former employers for the past 5 yrs that his child support had been taken out of his check and he took it to the friend of the court and they dismissed his case. Your best bet would probably contact the friend of the court (if that is what it is called in KY) and send them proof or take it to them. Get a print out from your child support agency in Ohio that says your child support has been paid and that it is being paid to her, and send that to them. Call a legal aid agency where you live and get some advice on how to proceed with defending yourself. Good luck. No matter what you do the person who is paying the child support is always guilty until found innocent.

Answer 5

Court orders in one state for child support are valid in another (Full Faith & Credit clause of US Constitution). Kentucky needs to honor the Ohio case, or ask the Ohio court to rescind the order.

There's a possibility your ex lied to the court in Kentucky about there being an active court order in Ohio.

Answer 6

I would talk to the case workers in Ohio first. Explain to them the whole situation. It seems to me that the only thing that you need is for them to change your ex-wife's mailing address. BUT, you need to stay on the workers in Ohio because there is a miscommunication with the two agencies. Your ex-wife needs to fill out a form changing her address, and if she doesn't then Ohio Support Enforcement needs to send a letter to the other state.
If you get a complete runaround, then go to Legal Aid and explain your situation. They should be able to help you.

Good Luck

Answer 7

Try like the advice given already with Legal Aid and do it quickly. If KY wants to get involved, Ohio should be mailing the checks to Ky who in turn mails it to the ex. The system in all states is soooo screwed up, it's pathetic. I strongly urge you to do something quick, because once they start garnishing your wages, it'll take forever to get it straightened out, and don't count on a refund, they'll send it to the ex.

Answer 8

Let me see if I understand. Your paying child support to your ex in ohio and she now is moving to kentucky. Regardless of where she lives you still have to pay child support. You won't have any reason to pay ohio anymore once she is in kentuck because she wont' be there. Did I understand this right? Get an attorney, this sounds confusing, he may be able to have one of the states pay your fees for their ignorance.

Answer 9

This means that she is getting aid for her self and child food stamps or something.She probably don't work now Kentucky is wanting there money she has got for aid.She probably did not turn in you were giving her any money.Get copy's where you have paid your support send copy's of them.You might have to get a lawyer.we all know how women are they have 3/4 of everything and want more.Then turn around and sue her for the lawyer.

Answer 10

Prove that you have made payments in Ohio so that you will no longer pay in Kentucky. The court will entertain your case if proven.