does the state of new jersey have a say in my child support?

Question

i do not make alot of money at all,the n.j. judge order i pay $200/week child support.i was paying up until 5 yrs ago, i got injured, couldnt work,while i was sick, n.j..the child payments kept adding up, finally i got back to work ($10/hr.)n.j. started garnishing $210 every week in which there was no way i could take care of myself.all along, i could not afford to rent a room,eat ,travel. i became homeless in a shelter in nyc.n.j. said they cannot lower my support payments without filling out this BOOK of paperwork+a processing fee for them. now 3 yrs. have gone by over$20,000 in back support has added up. im still a check away from being homeless. the thing is ,she lives in california,remarried, and keeps her mothers address to pick up her support checks from n.j..she will not budge.i seen my kids twice in 5 yrs
,should i have to pay all that back support?what can i do to not have every nickel taken from me?the stress & depression is really taking its toll on me. any suggestions

Answer 1

Dude, Do not put your dick in nothing but your hand. Your pretty much screwed. Maybe you can find a mans advocacy site.

Answer 2

Most states are the same as far as all that goes. The support will continue to add up until the children turn 18 or get out of college. That is your responsibility and always will be. If you want the payments lowered fill out the paperwork. That's all you can do. I dont know about N.J. but in Oregon if you dont try to pay something, they first take your drivers license, then they put you in jail. At least there you dont have to worry about paying rent. Although some states charge you for being in jail also.

Answer 3

I understand your plight, but what would have happened to them if you had been living with them and not working for all this time? How would you have kept them fed, clothed etc? $800/month is barely rent in a lot of places. It does not matter if she is remarried, this isn't alimony, you are paying to support your children, not her. As far as I know, California is worse about collecting chid support that NJ. In Alaska or Minnesota, you would be facing jail time. The best advice I can give you is to file the paperwork and get a good enough job to support your kids.
Best of luck to you

Answer 4

Sounds like u need to go to court in NJ and seek to reopen your child support, which probably would go better with an attorney...There are a few places that provide pro bono legal assistance, unfortunately probably a lot more people in need than places offering help. Perhaps Seton Hall Law School family law clinic, 973-642-8700 or Legal Services of NJ, 1-888-lsnj-law. If those don't work out don't let that stop you, you will have to be persistent, maybe the shelter can refer you to an organization that helps with legal problems. Or if you have time go to a public library and ask the reference librariian to help you find organizations that help with legal problems in your area.

Answer 5

Sorry pal,,, for your situation. Makes no diff where she is or where you are,,,you still have to pay the support. Now, if you are sick and can't work,, the court could excuse you for a period of time,,,it's up to the judge. I know a guy, who after 16 years of not paying was caught and had to sell his house to pay the back child support just two weeks before the child turned 18. It's tough but thats life. It;s always the guy who gets the shaft. Hard to tell where she is and who she is with.

Answer 6

visitation with your children has nothing to do with child support or arrears. its totally two different issues.

injured and not working for five years? did you live in a shelter then? did you put something aside or send anything in those whole five years (after you started getting unemployment, disabiltity, workers comp)?

the stress is hard, and was for that five years she had nothing.

if you really wanted it addressed, fill out the paperwork they gave you (its not a book, its a pro se packet... not that thick or bad to do). "i dont feel like doing paperwork" isnt an option if it really means that much to you. i know because i fill them out all the time and pay processing fees.

should you pay it? you have no choice. todays laws will follow you to other states with warrants.

second job is what most people do, just to pay their support.

.

Answer 7

Does NJ have legal aid and can you prove you were unable to work? Its sounds like you have had some rough times and even fathers deserve a break. As for the girl that asked about internet time, well I go to my library when my computer is down.

In NC they will adjust your child support according to your income but you need to make the first move. Look for legal aid.

Good Luck.

Answer 8

No, the State of New Jersey does not have a say in your child support. But, the Federal Government does and the State of NJ is just enforcing the federal laws.

Quit complaining. Your wife has been taking care of your children for years and years without any support from you. Do you know how much it cost to raise a child?

Answer 9

It would be to your advantage to go ahead and complete the "BOOK of paperwork+a processing fee for them" that you speak of in your question.

It doesn't matter where your ex lives or where she has the support checks mail to, child support still has to be paid. So - get that paperwork rolling along with the processing fee.

Answer 10

You made the babies, bucko, you are responsible for them. Get a second job, third job if you have to. NJ has no mercy for deadbeat dads..... If you don't pay, they can take your drivers license, your tax refund, force the sale of your car - and several other goodies.

If you think you have stress, try being a single mother with a deadbeat ex-husband who won't pay child support....