I have been suppose to be collecting child support for about 12 years. But the father that is suppose to be paying, only pays when it is good for him. I have had him to court numerous times, and as we speak right now, there are bench warrants out on him..Problem is, he lives in another state, so my state won't go and get him. I am at the end of my rope with Domestic Relations. He owes me over $12,000. How do I collect what is owed to me? What is my next best step? I was hoping for some type of company or something that did this, or should I hire a lawyer?
2006-11-28 00:12:05 · 8 answers · asked by buffettgirl15834 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
My children are older, and know how he is, so they have chosen not to see him. Support isn't the only thing he doesn't come through on..Problem is, he is supposedly self employed, so there isn't any garnishing his wages or getting his income tax!
2006-11-28 00:19:37 · update #1
In Canada there is an organization called the FMEP (Family Maintenance Enforcement Program) not sure about the US though. Ask a lawyer, everyone complains about them but they can work wonders for you! Believe me, I wouldn't be without one! The FMEP is able to garnish wages, income tax refunds, income assistance, and refuse to reissue driver's license. Your lawyer should be able to advise you on the American equivalent. However, in my case, my ex was fired from his last job and he hasn't found another method of support yet so I am stuck with back-payments of over $5000 (CAD) Good luck!
2006-11-28 00:21:41 · answer #1 · answered by prairiegurrl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have money to hire a lawyer, I would use that to put an ad in his town's newspaper with his picture showing how much he owes you. The bigger the better. It will get all around and at his work. He may feel the pressure to step up and act like a man. But then again, he may get fired. Either way you win because you are not getting money now, so why should he live life without any problems. Since he is self employed, it will hurt his customer base. Make sure you mention in the paper the name of his company.
Also, at any time that you know he is coming into your state, make sure you let the police know. You could even ask him to stop by and then have the police there waiting for him. Whatever you do, don't let him off the hook.
2006-11-28 00:19:08 · answer #2 · answered by Jon O 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Does he not have a court ordered wage withhold with his employer? I have several employees who pay out of state support and I have to automatically withhold it and send it to the state agency. If there is a court ordered wage withhold and his employer is not withholding, then they can get in trouble. If you don't have a court ordered wage withhold, I'd get one ASAP.
You can hire a lawyer, but it will just cost you more money. State to state child support collection is not easy, but the key is his willingness to pay. He will owe the money until it is paid....LONG after the child passes the age of 18, regardless of what the dad thinks. Many dads think they're off the hook when the kids turn 18. No, no, no..... if they owe 18 years of child support, they'll be paying for a while.
I have a brother in the same situation - he refuses to pay child support and has bench warrants out for him - lost his drivers license...etc. He just thinks he shouldn't have to pay. Ridiculous.
Unfortunately it is not the fault of the Child Support Bureau. They are doing their part and going through the channels that they must. If I were you, I'd do a little research online and see if there is a national agency that will do the job of going out of state to get him. If there is, I'd go that round next.
Good luck!!
2006-11-28 00:23:00 · answer #3 · answered by QueenChristine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your best bet is to hire a lawyer. You can still get any tax refunds that he may be entitled to even if he is self-employed. A lawyer will be able to help you. After they reach a certain amount of back child support the state where the order is in effect should alert the IRS that he is in arrears and they should begin withholding his refunds automatically. They won't even tell him until after they have captured the refund. Usually about six weeks after he is to receive it they send a letter saying it has been sent to whatever state for back child support. There is nothing he can do about it.
A friend of mine just went through this, her ex owes her more than $30,000 and they have just started taking his refunds now that he has one. I am also starting to deal with this process too. Its hard to do but be persistent. Your kids deserve it.
2006-11-28 01:35:30 · answer #4 · answered by justasking 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a lawyer and if he works garnish is wages and i would not let this loser of a father see his kids
2006-11-28 00:16:05 · answer #5 · answered by sonoftazont 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a lawyer. They will find a way to make him pay up. It will take time, but you will get your money.
2006-11-28 03:14:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
look in your local phone book under child support. you'll find help there. also you can get his income tax returns.
2006-11-28 00:15:53 · answer #7 · answered by Inez 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well you could write a book about how not to pick the father of your child and sell it. as it sounds like you have got all the experience and none of the pay off
2006-11-28 00:19:09 · answer #8 · answered by rkilburn410 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋