Anyone know anything about child support enforcement?

[xmas74]

Like how hard is it to track someone down?

(The state offices have informed me that it could take months. That's a step up from the years of "wait and see" they played.)

If the ex has left the state and switched his driver's license it could be tracked at any police department. (It's been a couple of years since I dispatched but you could run a name and dob openended for any state and the computer systems would scan most states. Only a few have to be run differently and it would only take a few minutes.)

If they have found a new (legal) job wouldn't you be able to run their social security number and find out where they are employed?

If they've moved into a new place wouldn't you be able to run a credit check and find out who has recently run checks on him? (Since most apartments now demand credit checks in order to rent.)

I just wonder how someone could become several thousand in arrears. Worse yet, the state says I'm not a high priority because I'm employed. My child does not qualify for any assistance, not even medical (which he is supposed to supply according to the court order.)

I'm just a bit angry right now. I've called the offices and left messages for a number of weeks now w/ no reply and everytime I've stopped in I'm informed that they are in a meeting. When I ask to schedule an appointment I'm told that they have no openings for the next six weeks and they won't schedule anything any further in advance.

[Left Is Write]

1. I'm sorry...

It does seem to be a rather low priority for the state, and I'm sorry for that.

I never received a dime of child support in 18 years of my oldest's childhood. We did okay, and it just didn't seem worth the considerable hassle it would have been. It's up to him to explain that to her.

Good luck!

[xmas74]

3. I didn't want his money in the beginning

but now we could use it.

The worst part is the insurance. I'm spending more than I can afford on insurance for her through my job. According to all the charts we qualify for state assisted insurance for her (w/ a monthly premium). We've been turned down repeatedly because we have a court order in place that states that he is supposed to pay for her insurance.

Right now she needs glasses, has to go to an allergist and needs some major dental work done, none of which I can afford. If we qualified for the state insurance I'd pay $10 a visit or if he picked up the insurance I could afford a copay (instead of spending nearly $400 a month on her insurance that doesn't do anything for us.)

[Left Is Write]

4. I completely understand, and it's very upsetting -

to think that a child could have these needs that go unfilled because one of the parents can't be bothered with it. I hope you find him and get what your daughter needs.

[xmas74]

9. I want to string him up

especially since he has money to burn on new cars.

[Maddy McCall]

7. Does this man see the child?

Does he ever visit? Is there any correspondence, any calls at all?

Have you thought about having a judge terminate your ex's parental rights?

[xmas74]

10. Refuses all contact.

I've spoken to a few attorneys about terminating all rights. They've cautioned me about it, stating that MO law is very tricky about terminating. Some judges will refuse because they consider it "bastardization" and others will only terminate if the custodial parent remarries and their new spouse will adopt.

Plus, I can't afford the $12,000 I've been quoted.

[dropkickpa]

23. PA is the same way

Believe me, I've looked into it. Which is just so stupid. He has NEVER given a thing to support her, he hasn't even seen her in over 5 years, but, unless I am getting married to a man who is willing to adopt her, I'm shit out of luck.

I feel bad for you, because he is supposed to be helping, especially with something as important as insurance. I never pursued anything for several reasons, biggest being I want me and my child to have NOTHING to do with him, also because he has only held 1 "legal" job in the last 10 years, and doesn't have a license, so no way for them to track him down.

[flvegan]

2. Hi, there. A couple programs that one needs "special access" to

can find someone based on almost any of that criteria. If they're getting a paycheck, have a bank account, insurance (car, home, medical), a telephone, utility services (including internet) in their name they can be found. They'll also list family and friends, previous addresses, credit, motor vehicle history, criminal record. Typical background check stuff, only more aggressive. As for taking months, that's crap. More like 5 minutes, and it's practically free for an authorized user.

[xmas74]

6. Exactly.

I have a friend working in a police department. They could run his license and have a hit back in less than a minute. The only problem is then I'd have to tell them where I found that info.

My state loves to make excuses. They've been making excuses since my daughter was very small. This court order has been in place since she was nine months old (no real help from them. They kept backlogging me on my case. I only got through when I did because I knew the prosecutor and she personally requested my file.)

It's just bullshit that he supposedly has a brand-new car and a newly built house while we're back to living w/ my parents.

[flvegan]

11. If they ask where you got it, tell them you hired an attorney or private investigator.

Both have access and the right to use Accurint or something like that.

[xmas74]

16. That's true.

Something's got to be done. He's several thousand in debt and they just blow me off like it's not a big deal.

[Maddy McCall]

5. Call your state DHS headquarters.

Ask to talk to the person who supervises that district office.

And tell them EVERYTHING that you have been told. They should be especially interested in the fact that the office won't even make an appointment to see you.

[xmas74]

8. We've been in touch.

They've said they'll investigate but that I need to understand that they are overloaded right now.

I've gone all the way to Dept of Social Services (which handles child support enforcement and family services). They've said they'll look into the situations in both offices but that many of the rules are changing and that some of the child support enforcement is now being contracted out to private.

Still no excuse. My taxes pay for the service, whether public or private.

[Shakespeare]

12. Do you have an attorney?

That would be my first step. They'll be able to hire an investigative firm to locate him (not that expensive to do at all), and then approach the state agency about it. Although it shouldn't work this way, they do pay more attention to a case when an attorney is involved.

Good luck on this.

[xmas74]

13. I had a few consultations when

I was considering terminating his rights. Now I can no longer afford one.

I can't even afford to pay for my daughter's fillings right now, none the less an attorney.

[Shakespeare]

14. You might be able to find a small practitioner...

...who make up most of the family law legal practice out there anyway, who'll either discount their fees, delay billing until you get an initial support payment, or maybe even take you on pro bono. What you need done should be very inexpensive for the attorney ($100-$300 tops to locate your ex, maybe another hour or three of his/her time to write a couple of letters to the agency and follow up).

[xmas74]

15. That's not too bad.

I could afford that when I file my tax return.

[Gormy Cuss]

24. Have you only made contact via telephone?

If so, download and mail the CSE application forms pronto. Get the ball rolling. It is true that those who are receiving TANF will be a higher priority because their lack of child support is costing the state money but eventually they should get around to your case. With the written application include a cover letter stating the dire need for support because of your financial situation. If you don't receive an acknowledgment, follow up with a phone call or personal visit to the office.

Does your local state rep have a pulse? It might be worth bending his/her ear over this.

Hiring an attorney and using other methods would be faster and more effective but they do cost money. It's a hard tradeoff.

[r54w32q1]

17. Go Here

Use a credit card.You do have his D.O.B. and Soc.Sec.# Right?
http://www.lostpeople.com/ultimate-people-search.shtml

Then go here:
http://www.childsupport.com/

[xmas74]

18. I have both.

I'll check them out.

[skygazer]

19. I haven't the faintest idea how one avoids paying child support

I never wanted to avoid it but had I, I wouldn't have known how to. The system seemed frighteningly efficient to me.

It's always strange to me to read posts such as yours because, as a support paying parent, I had all the same problems - it was impossible to reach anyone at the office to assist me, all avenues seemed geared toward the custodial parent only, my concerns were always met with sheer skepticism as if they thought I'd take the first chance to disappear. When my ex refused to comply with the court order stating that he had to inform me of any changes of address, they gave me no assistance whatsoever - I didn't even know where my son was. I had to write to my ex's sister to find out, a woman I hadn't seen in ten years.

I really am sorry you're going through this - it seems the system doesn't work for ANYONE - except for shifty characters who know how to manipulate the system (like my ex and, it would seem, yours). I never objected to paying but I had many problems with the way things were run and I have no answers for you. I'm just relieved to be done with it.

[CC]

20. Keep trying and be sure to

get names and employee numbers of every person you talk to. Keep a notebook and write down who you talk to,what was said, what time and the date. Be sure to let them know you are writing it all down. Just knowing you are keeping detailed records often gets them off their butts. Check out your newspaper and local tv stations for their problem solving hotline. One of ours here has a hotline that they connect people to for help for lots of things, whether they do a story on it or not. If they wanted to do a story on it I would let them. Write letter to the editor about what is going on. The more noise you can make the better the chance of them doing something. If the man is working he should be filing tax returns. With him in arrears you should be getting any refund he would get. The local child support enforcement agency should of filed paper work on it already and it should be done automatically.
I would at least consult with an attorney and would let the local agency know that you are considering legal action. consultation is usually free.
Good luck and keep on fighting.


Edited to add- This might help you out some. http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cse/fct/cshdbk.htm

[raccoon]

21. Man, that really sucks. Sorry to hear that.

" Worse yet, the state says I'm not a high priority because I'm employed. "

WTF?????

This is sickening. What are the fools being paid for, and having benefits better than most Americans in these times, sitting around with their thumbs up their arses?

Please consider writing an article about this. Or an LTTE.

[LuLu550]

22. If you have a written order of support

and he is in violation of it, pursue it in family court. Then, if he is entitled to a tax refund, they garnish it and send it to you. You should also request that his salary be garnished.

It worked for me here in NY but each state is different.

[philosophie_en_rose]

25. Right. She could also get a judgment and send it to collections.

:bounce: