Can child support be put on my husband if he walks out on his children?

Question

I've tried to get him to understand but what more can i do but have the law involved. He leaves for days and nights and don't tell his family where he is. We have 2boys together and we've been married for 7yrs. I've been crying for 3days straight. He said he was leaving and didn't care. He is not thinking of no one but himself. I asked this question because i need help he is not helping pay the bills and i'm barely making it. I want to divorce him but can't until i get enough money to do so. So i was trying to see if i could do this until. I have to have some help.

Answer 1

well, now its time to stop. your babies depend upon you being strong and standing your ground. trust me when i tell you, that you are stronger then you even know. you will see.

you need out now.

Contact a LEGAL AID OFFICE in your area. they are in all states and most counties. they go on a sliding scale, free to most people. look in your phone book or call your county court clerks office for it. if no luck, contact your state's bar assoc for it.

1) a divorce will not be too expensive, unless he fights you. thats is where the attorneys make the real money.
2) the moment you leave, file for child support. it will then be scheduled, his income vs your income will be calculated for his payment (see link for your states CS calculator)
3) he may fight you for custody rather then pay support.
4) he will find jobs under the table to hide income
5) get your self to a women abuse councelor or center. they help SO much. and they really do care. they know where to get help, can walk you through what to expect, and also show you how to survive living with a husband like that. it would also help if your kids had counseling also. make appointments... soon.
6) the red cross helps with vehicles (cheap) when they have them. the salvation army helps with everything. social services helps with some things provided you qualify.
7) call your board of public utilites. ask what programs they have to help low income families for heat, electric and yes, some states have a % off phone bills.

THINGS THEY NEVER TELL US:
in a divorce, make sure you get:
1) medical covered by him, either by his pay vs yours or him all the way. even if you have coverage for the kids. lets say one child get glass's (covered by insurance) and he brakes them (not covered by insurance) he would be finantially responsible for the new glass's.
2) college; make sure its in your divorce papers also...that he is to continue child support or pay for the childs education.
3) NO "disparaging remarks" to the child(ren) about the other parent. some parents dont know how to shut up and call the other parent all sorts of lewd names. it only hurts and screws up a kid, so make sure its in there. that way, if he does it, he cant say he didnt know.

VISITATION
get SET visitation, not OPEN. open is when they can come and go (request the child) when it suits them. sometimes ex's abuse this (well ok, most do)... so get it set. set times and days, so there is no fighting about it. show up, pick up your kids, have a good time and bring them back at set time.

most ex's dont even show up for visitation, so brace yourself.

here are some links to help. just click on your state and find the section you have questions on. the last few are to help you.

you can do it. it wont be easy, but good God, dont you think you deserve better? i do.
single mom of 4

Answer 2

Yes you can get child support. You can either file for it yourself or go and talk to your state child support agency or an attorney. Most states now have a child support worksheet they do to find the amount the non custodial parent will pay. It is usually based on income of both parents, day care expenses, medical expenses, and some states will even give a credit to the non custodial parent if they have a long visitation with the child during the summer. My state does not. Even if your husband didn't walk out on his children, any parent has the obligation to support his/her children. If you have not filed for divorce yet you can still file for temporary child support in alot of states.
Lori

Answer 3

Yes definitely, depending on the state you may get alimony too. Each state has different laws. Some take half of his salary and others figure out how much he makes and if you work or not and make a decision based on expenses. Make sure you get a good attorney, if he walked out he must not be someone you can trust to do the right thing. There are also free sites on the web to answer some of your questions. Good luck!

Answer 4

Yes it is a father's legal responsibility to contribute towards the support of his children, whether he likes it or not. This is not negotiable and what you need to do is find an attorney to sit down with you and discuss your options. I recommend going right through a Support and Custody enforcement office. That way is comes right off his pay check and you don't have to argue nor deal with him. Make sure that you tell your attorney you also want him to be responsible for half of any health needs such as glasses, dental, and ortho., not to mention responsible for half of any post secondary education. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Definitely. All you have to do is go to the court and apply for custody and support. You don't have to be divorced for this. Even if you are going for joint custody, you can still get support. I know where i live, i just went to the court house and picked up the forms. I filled them out at home, served him a copy, then went to court on the day specified and that was that. It didn't even cost me anything since the forms were free. I went for custody and support and didn't get divorced until 3 years later.

Answer 6

Yes. Of course, Alimony, too. contact a lawyer immediately or any social service/child services in your area, you might not even need to pay your own legal fees and he can and should be charged with abandonment. What a looser, go get him, wipe the floor with his sorry butt.

Answer 7

YES and he if he tries to disappear don't worry the authorities WILL FIND him. How dare he not stand up and be a man by doing the right thing by taking care of his kids!!!

Answer 8

Only with a an accompanying divorce decree. Without a divorce, you can't order child support.

Answer 9

contact your local child support agency. they should be in the social services part of phone book. they will help you get a support order asap.

Answer 10

yes he is responsible for those children just as you being their Mother is as well. Get an Attorney ASAP