27 answers

Not Getting Child Support

I am divorced and remarried. I have not recieved child support from my ex in over a year. I am in need of the money he owes even if I only get a little of it, anything helps. I have tried to do everythign to get child support enforcement to collect this money from him, but because he lives in Colorado and I live in Washington they say there is not much else they can do. I even tracked down his employer and reported it. His debt is raising more each month and we are finding it hard to get by. I was wondering if anyone out there knows how to get child support from someone that doesn't want to pay it, and what else I can do to make him want to pay atleast some of it. I don't have the money to pay for any attorneys, I did all that through the divorce, (just got that paid off) any advice would b e helpful. Thank you, J.

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

So What Happened?™

Thank you everyone for all the advice. I do already have a case with child support enforcement. I am going to try everything to figure out how to get this extra money. I do not need it to get by and I have already checked with DSHS about it and I do not qualify for assistance so that didn't help me any. I am afraid that he may be working under the table, but I am going to keep pestering the child support enforcement office about it until I see results. Once his debt has reached around 10,000 then I plan on going through supportkids, because then it will be so high that it will be better to get something rather than nothing. I do already have a set amount that he is suppose to pay and he has tried to pleed with me to change it, but I have refused. I know that he may not be able to afford it anymore, but that is not my problem. He hasn't helped with anything and then refused to cooperate throughout the divorce process, raising my attorney bill through the roof and then when his attorney put a lein on his house he then decided that he would just start agreeing rather than fighting me on it all. Now I am left with a debt to my parents and other neglected bills because I had to pay for the attorney, while he sits in his new house and doesn't really have to worry that his credit is shot because he already got to buy a house. Well, that is why it is important to me, that and he does nothing else to help with my daughter, can't even make a phone call to talk to her. I don't tell my daughter about any of this, we just kind of ignore him all together, she really doesn't even know him, and has a really great Dad that loves and takes care of her. She knows that he is not her real father, but that a Dad is the person who takes care of you, is there for you, and loves you. She is a smart kid. That is why the money is important. Just really need it to get back on my way to having a better life, pay off past bills that I have struggled to pay. I am going to get tax returns from him this year because he was in the military last year so that will help to pay off a lot of bills, and he is suppose to claim her this year but does not get to due to the fact that he is behind so far on child support. This will help a lot to know that the tax returns are atleast coming soon. I just need to pay off these old bills so that I will be able to buy a house for my child to live an grow up in, and that opportunity is coming this year thanks to a wonderful program called self-help housing.

Thank you everyone though for all the advice and help. I am going to do all I can to try and get the money that I am entitled to and that I could really use to help my daughter to have a better life!!! That's what it's for right! Thank you!!!

Featured Answers

You said you reported this. To whom did you report it to? His employer? You need to report it to the state of Colorado's Child & Family Services and/or District Attorney's Office, as well as Washington's. I don't know which state is actually responsible for helping you collect the debt, but one of them is!

I haven't seen a but like $200 in child support from my son's dad and anytime I ask for money he always has an excuse. I hate to say but the only way I know to get the money is seek help from an attorney. Maybe you can find one for low-income families or ask the child support division to recommend someone who maybe able to help you.

As far as I know, as long as you have his SSN, employer info and is reporting his income, etc you should be able to open the case. It does not matter where he lives, he can live in Mexico for all I know...SSN is all that matters. Then he needs to be served, and since you know where works, that's it. His employer HAS to respond by law or they can get introuble. I'm telling you all this because this is how I opened my case.

Good luck.

More Answers

Honey I know what you are going through. This is what I did. Get a hold of the child support enforcement where he is in CO. Give them all of the info how much he is to pay you each month, how much he owes you, and where he works. I that does not work when you go to do your taxes let them know what is going on and they should be able to go aftor his taxes to get you what he owes you. I have done both thats how I know it works. There are web sites that can help also www.supportkids.com and supportcollectors.com It will not be easy. And also too you might wnat o look in to the cild support laws in Washington and in Colorado because their is a law that if the child support paying parent does not pay over a 3 to 5 year time span they can loose all rights to that child. There are also attorneys that can help you with little to no money at all. You have to find them thou. do a web search in your local area also in his too.

1 mom found this helpful

I don't know about washington but in most states you go to the district attorney's office and they will enforce across state lines. They will take it from his paycheck and place a redirect on his income tax return. They can also take his driving liscense away and ban him from getting buisness liscenses. I would contact your local legal aide for advice. ~V.

1 mom found this helpful

Try calling Child Support Enforcement and requesting that they garnish his wages. It will take a court order but your case manager can handle that and it is their job to do so. Just find out who the case manager is and give them his work info including address and phone. If you have the name of his boss or manager that will be very helpful for this process. The child support is handles by the county treasurer in most states some states have their own department. Hope the info helps. B.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi J.,
Is child support clearly outlined as a part of your divorce settlement (I am assuming it is, but just thought I'd ask)? If so, I think you can go to your local District Attorney's office (court house) with a copy of your divorce/case number and file a contempt of motion (it might cost you a few hundred dollars to do so). I believe they can attach his wages for your child support payment (as long as he is not self-emlpoyed; it becomes more difficult) and can even prevent him from regestering his vehicle with the DMV if he is "flagged" by the D.A. for not paying child support. If he does not pay, I think he can also be held responsible for owing you 10% interest on all monies that he owes you.
This is what I believe to be true - I may be incorrect. Start at the D.A.'s office/Court House in your city.
Good Luck.

1 mom found this helpful

support enforcement is not telling the truth, i live in washington, and my ex lives in montana. he has two daughters (both live in washington). support enforcement collects every month for both of these girls.

1 mom found this helpful

J.

The only way I know to get the child support is to go to court and have his wages attached. You can do the paper work yourself or there are paralegel offices that will help you for a much smaller fee than a lawyer. You can got to court in the state you live in but he will need to be notified. Then they will send a court order to his employer to take the support directly out of his check before it is issues to him. Now with that being said, if he really doesn't want to pay you there is no way you can get it from him. I have heard of men "quiting" there jobs and getting either there former employer or a new one to pay "under the table". This is really hard. You can ask for federal assistance for the child that is his and then it takes it out of your hands and places it into the welfare depts and believe me they will go after him!!
Hope this helps.
S.

1 mom found this helpful

Hello
I am in the same situation so maybe I can help.FIrst question is do you have a child support enforcement case open in the county you live in? IF you have a child support order from your divorce you go to your local child support enforcement agency and open a case.
If you reported who he works for to DCSS then they should start garnishing his wages for current support. Call DCSS and ask them I reported the non custodial parents employment information to you have you garnished his wages or whats going on. You dont need a lawyer to take him back to court for the support its an interstate case file the paperwork in the county where you live if the case was orgnially filed in another county and or state you just have to change the venue. I know this all sounds very confusing but it is possible I can explain more on how to file with no lawyer if you would like my email is ____@____.com and I will explain more and can get you the forms for your state etc.

Good Luck

A.

1 mom found this helpful

I haven't seen a but like $200 in child support from my son's dad and anytime I ask for money he always has an excuse. I hate to say but the only way I know to get the money is seek help from an attorney. Maybe you can find one for low-income families or ask the child support division to recommend someone who maybe able to help you.

Required Fields

Our records show that we already have a Mamapedia or Mamasource account created for you under the email address you entered.

Please enter your Mamapedia or Mamasource password to continue signing in.

Required Fields

, you’re almost done...

Since this is the first time you are logging in to Mamapedia with Facebook Connect, please provide the following information so you can participate in the Mamapedia community.

As a member, you’ll receive optional email newsletters and community updates sent to you from Mamapedia, and your email address will never be shared with third parties.

By clicking "Continue to Mamapedia", I agree to the Mamapedia Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.