R.G. asks from Greenville, SC on January 22, 2007
Need Advice - Greenville, SC
I'm a divorced mom with two kids. One lives with me and one until recently with their father. The youngest whom he has custody of but is no longer living with him - he is now living with me. My problem is that my ex says he won't sign papers b/c is isn't fair that he should have to pay for two when he was raising one up this school year and no support was paid either way. I agree with that but he should have to pay something. Instead he hasn't paid anything and now says that if I take him to court he will pull my youngest back with him b/c he has the papers to proove it. What do I do? Should I leave it alone and say that the kids are taken care of or risk going to court? It just doesn't seem fair that he shouldn't pay anything to his children. I also have a new hubby and it isn't fair to him to have to pay for both when they aren't even his - he does it without saying a word but I worry that eventually it will cause problems between us. Any help or insight from someone who has been there would be very helpful. THANKS!
More Answers
M.D. answers from Norfolk on January 23, 2007
R.,
I understand exactly what you are going through. I went through the same exact thing. I got a new husband and I was fearful that it would bother him that the father wasn't paying (and it did. He didn't say anything until one day when we had a disagreement, it all came out). The one thing I had to do to put that fear to rest, was take my ex to court. It was very difficult. Your ex is making threats because he is banking on the fact that you are going to get scared and give in to what he wants. If he had custody of your son, but gave him back the judge will say "Why?" there had to be a reason. If you have both children in your possession and you and your new husband are having to support them totally, then he should have to pay something. My ex was determined that he wasn't going to pay unless he was made to pay. If you go to court and you do get awarded any money, then your new spouse can't get angry at you, you did everything you could. Believe me, you need to do this for him and your children deserve that support. Just remember, it isn't for you, it is for them.
Good Luck
J.C. answers from Asheville on January 23, 2007
R.,
I'm close to your boat...separated and still trying to work it out but I'm not so sure that he is completely committed to doing so. I have found an excellent attorney based in Hendersonville...family law expert/NC law....Buddy Massagee is his name and he went through everything in my consultation. Pricey...$200 but I was aware of everything I would be entitled too and the law. My husband was bullying me with fighting custody etc. and come to find out, some of what he was relaying to me was not true at all!! Hope this helps...maybe this would at least give you more information.
J.
S.M. answers from Asheville on March 19, 2008
Hi R., I would say first get an attorney, push for sole custody of both of the children. If the child is currently living with you ensure that the teachers and all of the officials are aware where he has been staying.
That will help you out in the long run. It's always hard! Fight for what you want though.
J.K. answers from Columbia on January 23, 2007
You definitely need money!! He's just being a jack***. The welfare of your son is what's important here and if he can't see that then by all means, haul him into court. Who has custody and where the child resides isn't going to cloth him or put food in his mouth. None of us likes to part with their hard earned money but when it comes to raising our children and doing so properly, it's money well spent. I'd tell him to take a good look at his character and thank your lucky stars that your child isn't around him to witness his morale behavior. He's being ignorant and selfish. Definitely look up what legal actions you can take should you need to go that route. Good luck, R.. I pray it works out to your favor.
M.P. answers from Spartanburg on January 30, 2007
First, you need to get custody of both children. Start with that. Once you've got custody, file for child support. Here is a link that might help. http://www.greenvillecounty.org/Family_Court/ChildSupport...
T.M. answers from Norfolk on January 23, 2007
R., No it is not fair. Take him to court. He is probably threatning you because he thinks you won't. The children are the ones that suffer any way you go. I say let the courts handle it.
M.D. answers from Danville on January 23, 2007
A good idea if you choose to go to court is to keep a journal of everything said and every action taken. Be sure to write how often your son stays that he has custody of.
M.H. answers from Myrtle Beach on January 23, 2007
Talk to a lawyer and find out what you can do. They will give you the best advice. Do not take advice from anyone but a lawyer. I did that for years and was scared to death of my ex husband because he always said that he would fight me for custody. I finally talked to a lawyer and found out my rights and now my ex is paying every month for child support and it comes directly out of his paycheck. I tried doing it by myself for years and it is hard and I only have one not two. His excuse of not having to pay doesn't make any sense, he is just trying to scare you. CALL A LAWYER!! Just for a consultation and then decide from there. Your ex doesn't even have to know that you are going.
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