I was wondering how you go about getting child support from an individual you didn't marry.?

Question

I lived with a man several years ago, we had a child and separated as she was to turn 5 years old. He since moved home(canada) and will not help support her. Can child support be enforced if we never married? Please advise

Answer 1

married or not; how the child got here is a moot point, and all the court cares about is that the child is supported. when he has been proven the childs father, it'll be ordered.

married or not.

jokes on him, Canada honors our Child Support (its listed on your states site; see the link below and read your states laws/guidelines... Canada is right there).

i would file for child support. if you already have an order, then pull rank and put heat on the case:

well the honor system doesnt work, thats been proven. its also why the state and federal government passed stronger laws for child support; they are TIRED of people not paying for their children.

the arrears still keep adding up.

1) call your caseworker and ask:
--request an enforcement hearing.
--where you apply for interest on the arrears?
--was the case submitted for tax refund intercept?
--was the arrears reported to the credit reporting agencies yet?
--ask why they have not taken his drivers license away yet?
--ask why they have not put liens on his bank accounts yet?
--ask why there has not been a warrant issued yet?

2) sit down and write a letter. in it, give your contact info, case number, his info, arrears amount, the problem and ask them what they are doing about it.

keep the letter short, its more effective that way.

then take that ONE letter and FAX it to the following:
a) BOTH your states Attorney Generals (link is below)
b) BOTH your states Governors (link is below)
c) BOTH your states Regional FEDERAL Child Support Office (link is below)

phone calls are useless; they are ignored, denied and forgotten. mail ends up on someones "to do" pile, but FAXES are effective. its proof you sent it and proof they recieved it, therefor, they HAVE to address it. if you cant find a fax number (most are listed online) then just call them and ask for it.

if you hear nothing in a week, fax them again. fax them weekly if need be. its the squeaky wheel that gets the oil, if ya know what i mean. WHO CARES if you miff ‘em off, just keep at them until the problem is addressed.

3) Report his azz to the IRS (in writing), for he’s supporting himself, somehow. Tell them you strongly suspect him working under the table to avoid a child support order.

4) Report his azz to the Social Security Office if he’s been using others SS#.

5) post his DEADBEAT FACE on a DEADBEAT SITE online.

some links for you; just click on your state and find the subject you need.

DEADBEATS
http://www.wantedposters.com/deadbeats_usa_a_to_f.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/creep/deadbeatparentssuck/
http://www.deadbeatjustice.com/list.htm
www.goodparentspay.com

INTERSTATE CASES
http://library.findlaw.com/1999/Jan/1/241468.html
http://www.policyalmanac.org/social_welfare/archive/child_support_02.shtml
http://www.law.upenn.edu/bll/ulc/fnact99/1990s/uifsa96.htm
http://www.ericsa.org/
LONG ARM ACT (UIFSA) for INTERSTATE
http://www.ncsea.org/content.asp?contentid=614
http://www.law.upenn.edu/bll/ulc/fnact99/1990s/uifsa96.htm
http://family.findlaw.com/child-support/support-basics/support-glossary.html
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/fct/uifsahb.htm
http://www.ancpr.org/uifsa_definitions_and_provisions.htm

CHILD SUPPORT CALCULATOR
http://www.alllaw.com/calculators/childsupport/

FED FAQ
http://faq.acf.hhs.gov/cgi-bin/childsupportenforcement.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_cat_lvl1=1

YOUR STATES CS POLICY AND STATE SITES & OFFICES
http://childsupportcenter.org/stateprofiles.php
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/extinf.html
http://ocse.acf.hhs.gov/int/directories/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.extivdlist

ABANDONMENT (NO SHOW PARENTS)
http://www.alllaw.com/articles/family/

NOT ALL PARENTS LOVE THEIR CHILDREN
And "RATIONAL LIES"
http://www.alllaw.com/articles/family/child_custody/article7.asp

FREE LEGAL HELP IN YOUR STATE
(just click on your state to find contact info)
http://www.lawhelp.org/

LAWS and INFO
http://www.delinquentdad.com/csr.htm
http://www.womansdivorce.com/
http://www.divorcehq.com/spprtgroups.html
http://www.divorceinfo.com/statebystate.htm
http://www.divorcenet.com/states
http://www.divorcesource.com/
http://www.divorcesource.com/info/deadbeat/deadbeat.shtml
http://www.divorcecentral.com/
http://family.findlaw.com/
http://law.onecle.com/new-jersey/ (change the state to yours)
http://family.findlaw.com/child-support/unpaid-support/support-orders-enforcement.html
http://www.divorcehq.com/deadbeat.html
http://www.divorceinanutshell.com/
http://www.lawchek.com/Library1/_books/domestic/qanda/childsupp.htm
http://family.findlaw.com/child-support/support-laws/state-child-support-info.html
http://www.supportguidelines.com/resources.html
http://www.supportguidelines.com/links.html
http://www.supportguidelines.com/laypersons.html
http://www.supportguidelines.com/articles/news.html
http://family.findlaw.com/child-support/support-basics/
http://www.spiesonline.net/deadbeat.shtml
http://www.childsupport-aces.org/index2.html

STATS
http://www.childsupport-aces.org/acesstatistics.html

FINDING DEADBEATS
(and background cks to find them)
http://www.usarecordssearch.com/
http://www.zabasearch.com/
http://deadbeatsnitch.com/
http://www.wantedposters.com/skiptrace.htm
http://find.intelius.com/search-name.php?ReportType=1&
http://omnitrace.com/Missing-Persons-Search.html?OVRAW=deadbeat&OVKEY=deadbeat&OVMTC=standard
http://www.discreetdata.com/index.html
http://www.identitycrawler.net/people_search.html
http://www.peoplefinders.com
http://zabasearch.com/
http://www.crimcheck.com/personalreports.htm
http://www.easybackgroundchecks.com/
http://www.abika.com/
http://www.freeprf.com/
http://www.efindoutthetruth.com/
http://www.netsleuth.com/
http://netonlineinvestigators.com/index.asp
http://www.backgroundcheckgateway.com/
http://www.backgroundcheckgateway.com/locate-people.html

FED AGENCIES
http://www.ncsea.org/
http://www.nfja.org/index.shtml
http://www.naag.org/issues/issue-consumer.php

REGIONAL FEDERAL CHILD SUPPORT OFFICES
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/oro/regions/acf_regions.html

FACTS AND REGIONAL FEDERAL CS OFFICE INFO
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/fct/fct4.htm
http://www.divorcesource.com/WI/ARTICLES/beaulier11.html
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/opa/fact_sheets/cse_factsheet.html
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cse/newhire/index.html
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cse/faq.html
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/newhire/fop/passport.htm
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/newhire/fop/fop.htm
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/newhire/faq/faq.htm
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cse/extinf.html
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cse/
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/grants/grants_cse.html
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/index.html
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/region2/index.html
http://www.fms.treas.gov/faq/offsets_childsupport.html
http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits_en.portal
http://www.fedstats.gov/qf/
http://www.fedworld.gov/gov-links.html
http://fatherhood.hhs.gov/pfs92/ch3.htm

SSI AND DISABILITY
FOR CHILD SUPPORT
https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps6z/ISBA/main.html
http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/policybriefs/pb2004-02.html
http://www.ssa.gov/notices/supplemental-security-income/
http://family.findlaw.com/

FIND YOUR REPS
http://www.usa.gov/
http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/State_and_Territories.shtml
http://www.nga.org
http://www.naag.org/attorneys_general.php
http://judiciary.senate.gov/

CHILD SUPPORT LIEN NETWORK
(some states work with them)
http://www.childsupportliens.com/
COLLECTORS
http://www.supportkids.com/
http://www.supportcollectors.com/faq.php
http://www.deadbeatdadfinders.com/
http://www.deadbeatdadfinders.com/links.html
http://www.childsupport-aces.org/index2.html
http://www.divorcesource.com/info/deadbeat/deadbeat.shtml

TAX INFO
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p501/index.html
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p504/ar02.html#d0e563
http://www.taxsites.com/index.htm
http://www.divorceinfo.com/taxes.htm
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc354.html
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc422.html
http://www.irs.gov/faqs/faq4-5.html
http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/index.html
http://www.irs.gov/advocate/index.html
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p525/index.html
http://www.fms.treas.gov/faq/offsets_childsupport.html
http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/14/pf/taxes/do_not_miss_tax_breaks/index.htm?postversion=2007021411

REPORT DEADBEATS (AND EMPLOYERS)
WORKING UNDER THE TABLE
(in writing, to your local and federal IRS offices)
http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/index.html
http://www.irs.gov/compliance/enforcement/article/0,,id=106778,00.html

REPORT A DEADBEAT USING OTHERS
SS# TO AVOID CHILD SUPPORT or FILING TAXES
WITH OTHERS SS#
http://www.irs.gov/faqs/faq1-13.html
http://www.ssa.gov/oig/public_fraud_reporting/
http://www.ssa.gov/oig/hotline/

SEX OFFENDERS
http://www.mapsexoffenders.com/
http://www.scanusa.com/
http://www.nsopr.gov/
http://www.familywatchdog.us/Default.asp

Answer 2

yes it can be enforced even if you did not marry. A child has a right to have support from both parents whether married or not. Look at all the celebrities who pay child support and were never married. Different states have different laws pertaining to child support. In some states a man must pay child support if he is married when the baby is born even if he is not the father. Your issues will be getting child support enforced in Canada. You should consult an attorney to see the best way to enforce it and to have whatever state you live in enforce its jurisdiction on your ex. If you google child support enforcement you will get a lot of helpful links. Good luck.

Answer 3

To Moldier: you may have been "thumbs downed" (not by me tho) because common law marriages exist only in certain states. I am a paralegal in MS, and common law marriage does not exist here. Also, in the places I have heard of that have it, it's 7 years.

You can get child support through the family court system where you live. The state the child has resided in for more than 6 or 12 months (depending on the state) has jurisdiction, it does not matter where the father is - although you may need an attorney in both places since he is in Canada. Talk to a local attorney where you live .

Answer 4

I guess laws are different everywhere...but in the US, the father is the father and it doesn't matter if the parents were married or not. My boyfriend and I lived together for 7 years and had a 3 year old when we split up. He now pays child support through the court. The father would have to be sued for paternity. But yes - she should get child support...and with a great attorney - she should get BACK child support for the past two years if they were not together. Good luck. ALSO - he may be responsible for health insurance.

Answer 5

Oh, absolutely. At your local courthouse, there is a child support enforcement division. They will help you fill out the paperwork. It might take awhile - they have to find him. If you know where he is, TELL. Any, ANY information you have is useful. I'm assuming he signed an affidavit at the time your daughter was born. If so, he legally assumed responsibility at that time. Even if he didn't, the child support enforcement people can provide testing if necessary. Good Luck!

Answer 6

You can get a court order requesting DNA for child support purposes and through international channels and the court where you got the order should work diligently together to attempt his capture and return to the states to appear before the county circuit court . Talk with the Dept. of Social Services in your area and ask what can be done or seek counsel. If there is a loophole, those people will find it.

Answer 7

It is not as difficult as it use to be. You need his full name, social security number, date of birth, address, and if possible his employer (if you don't have all of that, trust me, he can be found). You can hire an attorney (which may be costly but effective) or go through the department of social services/ human resources (which can take forever). You can file on your own in the court (in the jurisdiction where the child lives) and have him served to appear here. The biggest problem is always trying to locate the dads. If you know where he is, that makes it easier. Make sure you have your proof of income and a detail itemized statement of your child's expenses (everything including entertainment expenses)..

Answer 8

Yes, support can be enforced. You will need to legally establish that he is the father and through the proper procedures in court a judge will have to determine what support your daughter is entitled to. As much as we all like to bash lawyers, this is what they are trained to do. You should consult one immediately.

Bear in mind that this man may decide to disrupt your life as much as he feels you're disrupting his with a support order. He may demand visitation or custody. Not trying to discourage you doing what's right for your child, just be aware it could get ugly.

Answer 9

If you lived together for more than two years, I thought you were considered common law. If that's the case, you definitely are entitled to some help. However, he being in Canada at the moment? Not sure.

Has he acknowledged the child as his?

EDIT: Why did some bozo "thumbs down" me?

Answer 10

the first thing u need to do since he lives in canada is talk to a lawyer about international child support. unfortunately if u live in the us and he lives in canada things could get ugly. he could force visitation and it being in another country it gets hard to do. try to work things out with him and tell him u need help in supporting your child. if he refuses then u have to go to court and proceed with a child custody hearing to get u permanent custody of this child and have them enforce child support payments. i hope this helps...

Answer 11

They may want you and child to have tests done to prove it his child before they do anything.
Child support is for all children, even if you never were married.
The only problem you might have is that he went to Canada. It will take more to collect from him.