I am going to court on next Thursday for a child support hearing. My daughter will be a year old in 3 weeks but her real father hasn't helped out with anything. She's seen him 3 times in her life. the last time I saw him he threatened me. He told me not to file child support or he would do something but I can't remember what he said he would do. He is living a dangerous life (guns, dealing drugs, etc.). I am scared that he might show up with a gun or bring a friend to wait outside with a gun and have me killed. I am also scared that my daughter is going to get taken from me. I am a single Mom and I only get paid $40 a week and have food stamps. Any other women with related issues that can give me some advice?
2007-10-17 05:54:52 · 6 answers · asked by Kaylea 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
(For your info Angela C.) This isn't my computer and I am required to file child support to keep getting food stamps!
2007-10-17 06:49:28 · update #1
Sounds like you have a few different issues here.
#1 - you fear for the safety of you and your child. I would recommend that you seek a protection order immediately against the father of your child - he made a verbarl threat to harm you. If you do not have time to obtain the protection order before the hearing - you should at least make this known to the courts or the attorney.
#2 - The father of thechild doesn't want to take any financial responsiblity for his child - and this is probably why the initial threat was made. Depending on what state you live in, you could be under a requirement to cooperate in obtaining a support order to maintain your public assistance benefits. If he understands this, it might help him understand. Nonetheless, this is his child and he should WANT to help provide support to her. What you have to keep in mind is, if the father has never formed a relationship with his daughter and doesn't have any visitation rights - it's like paying on a car you aren't allowed to drive. A father needs to feel included and made a part of the child's life - this will lead to regular support payments. I understand your concerns with the father's dangerous life style, however, you should have options available to you such as; supervised parenting times. Your child support agency should be able to direct you down the right road - Good Luck
2007-10-17 06:09:50 · answer #1 · answered by winslow_alexander 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't say anything that would lead to your child being taken from you. This is not a custody hearing and you don't lose your child just because you are single and poor.
Tell your lawyer that you are afraid and ask for special precautions at the courthouse. If you do not have a lawyer but this is part of a child support action brought by the county, call the child support agency and tell them your safety concerns.
2007-10-17 13:01:24 · answer #2 · answered by raichasays 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You could ask for a protection order. Let the court decide on the child support order.
2007-10-17 12:59:07 · answer #3 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
what the heck is it you do that only pays $40 a week? you need to bite whatever bullet you have to and do better for both you and your child.
sounds like this guy should be in jail... i think you should probably mention this crap during the hearing...the guns, drugs etc... this sh*t is ridiculous. seriously. he sounds like a joke to me. but, possibly a lethal joke. i would take death threats very seriously. along with this case, why not file a protection order? report everything. follow all rules in the system when it comes to that stuff. that way, when you have to shoot him to protect yourself, it really does look like the self-defense it is.
2007-10-17 13:07:04 · answer #4 · answered by practicalwizard 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They wont take your child as long as they dont feel you are neglecting it. I would tell the judge that he threatened you. The judge can put a restraining order on him. This will alert the police to your situation. Also tell the judge that you feel unsafe when you leave the courthouse. He can assign a police office to you while you go to your car. You are in a scarry situation but you do have the upper hand.
2007-10-17 12:59:38 · answer #5 · answered by bildymooner 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Get a job. You can't depend on her loser of a father to pay child support, and taxpayers shouldn't have to. I notice you can afford a computer and internet service. Welfare can't be too bad.
As for her father being a criminal, you picked him. His lifestyle must not have bothered you too much.
2007-10-17 13:17:27 · answer #6 · answered by Angela C 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋