Can I SUE my FATHER for child support?

Question

I'm 22, almost 23 and my biological father NEVER once paid child support, nor supported me, nor helped me in anything like college or medical bills. He only came to see me a few times when I was a toddler. My mother never ordered child support from him.

AT THIS POINT IN MY LIFE CAN I SUE HIM FOR THE CHILD SUPPORT THAT HE NEVER GAVE ME MY ENTIRE LIFE?

IF SO, PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I WOULD HAVE TO DO IN ORDER TO CARRY IT OUT SUCCESSFULLY?

Thanks for all of your insensitive replies. For those of you who have no lives, I do have 3 jobs and will achieve my bachelor's degree within one more semester, so stop assuming things like that. And I ask this question, because he should have contributed to my life and assumed his responsibility as a father.

Answer 1

I doubt it. Consult a lawyer to find out.

Answer 2

In many states the law allows a child to sue for back support when the turn 18. You might check with social or family services to see if there is a statue of limitations on how long after you can sue to recoup onpaid support....Good luck

Answer 3

Just so you know, I know exactly how you feel. My mother done the same thing to me. I have gotten back in touch with her and gotten to know her, but that was after 20 years of never knowing her. I'm 23 now. I had thought about the child support issue myself. But when I did finally meet her and seen what she was about it wasn't worth it. She doesn't have any money, she turned out to be a drug addict, and she uses my grandma (her mother) for anything she has. So before you go to all this trouble of trying to get back child support, try to find out who he is. And if he is anybody you really want to start something with. But I honestly think we should be able to sue them. And for the person that said he doesn't owe you anything now. That's bull. He owes you alot. Especially for not being there your whole life. I'd say there is no amount of money to make up for that. So yeah he owes you alot. Just maybe not money wise.

Answer 4

I believe that your 18th birthday was the statute of limitation on that. Once you turned 18 you ceased being a child, and any financial obligation that he had pertaining to you ended on that day.

alikilee, actually, you are wrong. By law, child support payments belong to the child, and not the costodial parent. The only reason the parent get control of the money is because the child is a child, but according to the law it is the child's money.

Answer 5

No by law is only required to pay child support up to the age of 18. If your Mother didn't go to court and sign the papers you are tough out of luck. I can guarantee you have no legal leg to stand on in court. get over it and move on. Try to find your money elsewhere. Get a job like everyone else to help pay for your college. I had to work fulltime and go to college atthe same time. You will be proud of yourself in the end for supporting yourself. You can't rely on your parents once you are of adult age.

Answer 6

I would just let sleeping dogs lie. He wasn't there, and from the looks of it, he didn't want to be there. Your mother probably refused to seek child support for reasons you do not know about (e.g. she was abused), and she probably just wanted to cut ties to him altogether. I have a friend who is doing this. You've come a long way and you've graduated with college and are probably well on your way to living a good life. If you want to try to have a good relationship with your father now, that would be a different story. But since you're just looking for money from him, move on.

Answer 7

I'm a mother with a child. I never collected child support.he never paid me a dime i still to collect $120.000.00 from him.
sometimes life is unfair and the innocent child is the one that suffered the consequences of
their parents actions.now is too late for me to collect; because there is status of limitation in certain states.
you can never sue your father for child support, because the monies that he owes is not to you, but your mother; she is the one that provided you with food and shelter while growing up.your mother might be able to do so; when the divorce is final; the court orders the specific amount she should be collecting from him every month ; so she should be the one that have a document specifying the amount.
however, if your mother every collect from him; she might split the payments in halve and give you a portion of the monies; (planned to do so; if i ever collected; but my is a dead beat).
I'm sorry sweetie there is nothing you can do to collect from him.
there is a site www.supportkid.com it might be worth to look it up.
however, there is a valuable lesson for you to learn here from all of us mothers that made that astronomical mistake. do not rush into any marriage, or have a child with a LOOSER.

Answer 8

Sorry to have to tell you this, but no you cant sue him for child support since your mother never did go after him in the first place...

If you are really that hard up for money, then get your butt a JOB and stop trying to find ways to get back a parent who wasnt there for you

Answer 9

I don't believe that is a legal lawsuit. You mother is the only one who can take hI'm to court for child support and im not even sure she can do it now that you have been over 18 for almost 5 years now.... I would let a sleeping dog lay..... This would just cause you more heartache and headache then knowing that your father is a dead beat piece of ****!!! You don't need him hon, move on!!

Answer 10

No, you can not sue your father for child support. Your mother could have done this at any time during your childhood, but evidently she chose not to. You might want to ask her the reason. Otherwise, just try to get over it. He owes you nothing now.

Answer 11

The only person I would sue is the lawyer, he is the one that should pay. Worry about father issues later. Also, ask yourself, do you really need this?