I need more options for collecting child support, nothing is working!?

Question

My ex owes almost $9000 in child support and has made no payment of any amount since 12/06. Child support enforcement has tried to garnish his check so he quit his job. They suspended his license but he has no car anyway. They can't seize his bank accounts because he has none. The DA said they only file felony charges on deadbeats every 2 years, so it will be 2008 before that happens. I am a full time college student with a part time job so I obviously don't have the $1400 it will cost me to take him back to court. I told him 2 weeks ago he would not be getting visitation with them until he pays at least one month's payment and gets acceptable conditions for them at his friend's house where he is living (they have no beds, clothes, toothbrushes, etc. over there). The last time they were there, he didn't pick up their suitcase and kept them in the same clothes for 3 days. I don't want to get in trouble, but I am frustrated and don't know what else to do. Any ideas?

Answer 1

You are screwed. My wife's ex owes over $22,000 in back support, and we'll never get a dime. You are correct, they won't make him pay. ain't gonna happen. I made the mistake of expecting the courts to do as they are supposed to do- enforce laws and court orders. They didn't. So, what should you do? Either write off the idea of getting support, or pray that some militant woman's group starts murdering deadbeat parents. Your children would get a monthly check from social security IF dad was murdered. Alive- they'll get nothing. So, pray for a murderer, for the well being of your children. Isn't that bizarre? Your kids would be best served by some nut murdering their Dad. Heck, they'd even get help with college costs. I expect that eventually, there will be a group committing public service murders.

Answer 2

you may want to call child services and tell them of the conditions your child is in when with the father. Why are you worried about getting into trouble? If the father isn't working and not paying support then how is he going to take you to court. he is basically taking a chance on getting hammered by the judge. On the other hand, I paid over 10K a year in support and I got to see my son maybe 5-6 times a year and we only live 30 miles from each other. Because he was over 16, the judge didn't do a thing...saying the child can make that decision. ..even though it was obvious that his mom pushed him into not seeing me.

You can't withhold visitation for non-support, but because of the environment., you can..or at least change the rules......then let a judge sort it out if he pulls you into court. (i bet he doesn't)

Answer 3

First child support: It is hard to get blood out of a turnip.
and Child support is not paying for visitation rights, so be careful with that one.
Second if you are really in fear for the welfare of the children, have the department of health check out the guys place etc.
If it doesn't meet standards, they will issue a stop visitation order.
But last and not lest....if the children are not complaining and they are old enough to know things are ruff...and would complain. Then remember they will love their father regardless of $$ issues or no tooth brush, in fact most kids like that idea! But be careful to bridge the gap between you and your husband....don't use the children to shore up the bridge. Do you best, to not let money and small issues make the children feel they are caught in the middle........just an opinion.

Answer 4

My girlfriend and I have considered everything under the sun short of having the exhusband arrested. Once in jail, the exhusband is no longer working and therefore no money.

Quite honestly, as long as the exhusband stays out of the state we're living in....I don't care. It is discouraging, however, that the father refuses to pay child support. Being over $40K behind in child support is a burden on anybodies paycheck.

Consider one alternative of the agencies available that collect child support, however, for a fee.

Some is better than none but you do pay for the service through whatever child support that is collected.

Below are a couple of websites that provide child collection services.

Best wishes.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, it is difficult to get someone to pay child support when they really do not want to. Once a person dissolves a relationship, the children are the one's that suffer.

When I lived in Virginia for a short period. I remember watching a television ad that would show photos and drivers license photos of parents who did not pay child support.

The commericials for example said this: Hi my name is Johnny Smith, and I do not pay child support for my children, no do I want to. If you see me, stay clear, because you may be next.

I have never seen an advertisement like that on television. But I remember to this day, what they all look like. The ran the ad after every tv program break...

Answer 6

Hate to tell you this but you need to just write this off. Don't count on getting another dime. He isn't going to pay and you'll just make yourself sick trying to force it. The courts will do their thing but it'll take time. If you find out what his address/employment is, turn that information over to the courts, but other than that, don't waste your energy. My ex hasn't paid in years. I consider it a bonus if he contributes anyting at all.

You can't restrict visitation because he doesn't pay. They are two completely separate things and you'll just end up being the bad guy in the courts and your childrens eyes. However, if the conditions are unsuitable, there is plenty of reasons to not let the children go with him. Make sure you contact FOC to get advice on how to do this legally. I wouldn't worry about it too much though, sounds like his life is pretty messed up and will most likely stop visititation on his own anyway.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 7

First off, get a restraining order against him as an unfit and possibly dangerous dad.Refuse to let him see the kids PERIOD! Don't give in and allow visitation until he coughs up what's owed....ALL OF IT!!! Do not allow the kids to talk to him on the phone and do not allow them to receive mail from him.GET TOUGH!! Keep tabs on him and if he gets a job,then serve that company with garnishment papers ASAP to grab what you can from the job before he skips out on you again. He sounds like a really 'quality' (not) guy though....Good luck and don't give in EVER! Stay on him as long as it takes!

There are 'deadbeat Dad' outfits out there that are non-profit and can help you. Just ask around or go online.Hang in there!

Answer 8

You like many R @ a brick wall!!!I cannot think anyone seeing a good mother like urself say u r wrong that he clean up situation living conditions and make sure kids have clean clothing!!!So don't worry about trouble.Maybe he can buy some grocerys school supplys laundry soap coats shoes and gas for transporting kids to him!! Have the kids bring these things home. If u contact social services and ask for financial help they can chase after him.

Answer 9

Ask your DA if they do contempt citations for non-payment and if he can be jailed on civil contempt for not paying as ordered. I do not know what state you live in. If you have a criminal court order, you need to get a civil court order which will be enforced in civil court, not criminal court. You can apply with your local child support enforcement agency for assistance at little or no cost. If you have a visitation order and you do not abide by it, he has to hire an attorney and take you to court for not obeying it which requires an attorney usually.

Answer 10

unfortunately your ex sounds like a dead beat who has no care in world to take care of his children, there is an old saying you can not get blood from a stone

as such only the threat fo jail time may force this looser to get a steady job and do what is rights and help support the children