Child Support Question - Anyone BTDT?

[koofie]

Hi! An order of support was put into place in Nov and DD1's father paid his first payment through them at the time. Since then I have gotten nothing. I know it takes time to set up, but how long? I have received nothing in a month and a half. At least before the order he sent a check pretty regularly. I really need the $ because I kind of counted on it for X-mas presents for family ect (I "advanced" myself stuff for her earlier in the month thinking that I would have another payment by now. Yikes - I hope it will be soon 'cause I have "gone in" on presents for my Mom with my siblings and am still missing a present for Sis (B-day party Sun) and I have nothing for her for Xmas either.

Sorry for the vent, anyone BTDT? DD1's father in in TN and I am in MD...

TIA

[Iris' Mom]

If no one knows here, maybe try posting in the single parents forum. There's a lot of experience there re child support. I hope it comes soon.

[TattooedMama]

I have never counted on getting my child support. It is not included in my budget.
I am owed thousands in back support.
So sorry mama, I hope it comes soon.
I don't know anything about out of state support. Maybe someone else can help.

[MamaChel]

If they issue a writ of garnishment, then the process should be automatic. If he is supposed to send it and he doesn't, you need to call the issuing state and find out what's up. But, really, enforcement is spotty at best, depending on the state. I would recommend that you stop counting on the CS money as income until he starts paying regluarly and even then keep in mind that he can stop paying any time he wants to without a garnishment.

Check your state's website and his for information about child support enforcement. You will probably have to call his state for info.

[StephandOwen]

Originally Posted by MamaChel

If they issue a writ of garnishment, then the process should be automatic.

It does take time to get it set up with his work and stuff. When we first got the court order (to be garnished from his wages) it took months before I started seeing it semi-consistantly. He managed to keep it going that long by a) not filling out and returning his paperwork until the courts got on him and b) getting his boss to stall filling out her paperwork (small town, small business, friends helping friends, I guess). It all did catch up to him, eventually, but I wouldn't (and don't) count on child support anymore. If I get it- great. If not- I have another way to pay my bills.

[koofie]

It is supposed to come out of his paycheck. I know it takes a while to start up, but I found that out after the fact, and no one can tell me how long it will take. Since DD1's father was pretty regular I could count on the support (and basically had to). So now I am frustrated that after getting it pretty regularly it in now not here, and the whole point of getting the order was so I didn't have to call DD1's father to remind him to send it (he sent it late most months and I really did need it for Daycare so I called him to make sure it was coming). Aaagggghhh! I have never seen such backward-ness as the child support services. It took 11 months to get an order established and they screwed up on a few occasions. DH sends CS and they screw him up regularly too, so no one gets a break.

Thanks for the words of wisdom ladies! Hopefully it will be taken out/sent soon!

[velcromom]

If you are using the state child support enforcement agency to collect, call the caseworker twice a week and ask for an update & give them any info you have, such as when you got a payment or a payment is late. Be a total nag. If what is happening isn't working, ask "What's the next step, what else can we do?" They absolutely do not tell you everything voluntarily.

If you are going through a private attorney you will have to do the same thing.

[koofie]

Thanks! I'll bug them on the 26th or 27th