I was homeless for 11 years. I now have a house and a car. I owe over $30k in back child support. I have been paying over the amount required each month for the past two years to make up some ground on the arrears. I am disabled and live on a fixed income. Should I sell my house and live on the street again? Or is it more important for my children to have a father?
2007-01-05 07:10:48 · 12 answers · asked by Rick R 4 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
It is very important for you children to have a father. But that doesn't necessarily mean that you shouldn't also sell your house.
I don't know where you live, and I don't therefore know if owning your home is preventing you from getting any extra help. But you should speak with a lawyer who has experience dealing with social services, just to clarify things.
As well, that lawyer should be able to help you to apply for some type of relief regarding your child support payments, particularly regards the back support. Your own income is limited and fixed, and this is probably making these payments particularly onerous on you. For that reason, asking for some relief here is not selfish - you need a certain amount to live on yourself.
Whatever you do, though, stay in contact with your children, and the closer, the better. Child support is about helping financially, but money is hardly the only way to help. As long as you are emotionally supportive of them, the more that you are around the better they will be.
Check the site I've referrenced below. It may give you a bit of a boost.
2007-01-05 07:20:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to the mother: Explain that you are trying to make up the back payments as fast as you can. If she's insistent that you sell the house and pay it all now, Let her know that you're going to be on the street again and the future payments will be in jeopardy then. I think it's more important for the kid to know it's dad cares enough to support it. Unless the mothers an idiot she'll want you to keep making the larger payments.
2007-01-05 15:18:55 · answer #2 · answered by jrsabbc 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You said you were homeless for 11 years, did you like it,if not why would you want to go back to that kind of living? Its more important for you to have your self esteem, your kids would not want their father to live on the street,just continue to pay child support and you will make it without having to go to such drastic measures
2007-01-05 15:25:10 · answer #3 · answered by Mary O 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
having a father who lives on the street, is not in any way better than not having a father. life is hard and I can understand your hardships, however you must carry on,
giving up your house and living on the streets will not help, see the mother of the child and work something out, or maybe see a solicitor
all the best
2007-01-05 15:15:30 · answer #4 · answered by nonickforme 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you are doing the right thing in paying the child support
yes, I pretty much DO live within my means, its the net effect you have to watch
you have a house, why not have them move in, stay in the basement or something if you and your spouse don't get along.
If your wife and kids are really poor than sell the house.
there are other places than the street to live, get a cheap apartment or something
if you are not there and have no time for them, they really don't have a father anyway
make some time for them, be there, cook and teach them
2007-01-05 15:15:30 · answer #5 · answered by kurticus1024 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definately do not sell your house and become homeless again. It's more important to have a place where your kids can come and see you. Besides, you got behind when you were homeless last time...Good luck.
2007-01-05 15:13:34 · answer #6 · answered by jonah 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Houses are more expensive then renting. Why not just rent the least costly place you can afford and still live safely and comfortably. Also, since you don't work, you probably don't need a car, or at least not one that you should have to make payments on. Max out as much on the support as you can, and be there for your kids.
No one should be homeless, ever, and no one should ever CHOOSE to be homeless!
2007-01-05 15:13:54 · answer #7 · answered by non_apologetic_american 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Don't live on the streets again, that's not going to help anyone, just keep going and doing what you can. I don't think a lot of people live within their means.
Keep up the good work, your kids will realize what you're doing for them
2007-01-05 15:12:45 · answer #8 · answered by kristonianinstitution 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good sob story, but you have conflicting info. You have a home and a car on a fixed income and make double child support payments. Nice. You sure can make a dollar stretch.
2007-01-05 15:16:31 · answer #9 · answered by Simply Lovely 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
just do what you can. to go back to the street is of no benefit to your child. there will come a day when they need your steadiness to lean on. don't wreck your life to fix the past. it will work itself out.
2007-01-05 15:14:04 · answer #10 · answered by SST 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋