His debt is now my problem.

[Beezersmom]

What is the name of your state? California
I have been divorced for 9+ years and my ex has been good about paying his child support. But over the past year he has been going down hill financially and starting November he has been missing his payments. He paid Novembers support in December and as of the 10th of this month he will be 2 months behind and over 2000.00 in debt . I have tried to be compassionate and have not pressed the issue, but I don't want to set myself up for any legal problems down the road. Is there anything I should be doing to protect myself or just be patient? Fortunately my current hubby and I are doing well enough to get by without his money, but it does not mean we don't need it to replenish it at some point. My ex lives in a half million dollar home with a custom pool etc and has off road toys etc...: he has just got himself in over his head and his business is slow right now.
Any helpful tips would be great.

Thanks Debbie

[LdiJ]

Originally Posted by Beezersmom

What is the name of your state? California
I have been divorced for 9+ years and my ex has been good about paying his child support. But over the past year he has been going down hill financially and starting November he has been missing his payments. He paid Novembers support in December and as of the 10th of this month he will be 2 months behind and over 2000.00 in debt . I have tried to be compassionate and have not pressed the issue, but I don't want to set myself up for any legal problems down the road. Is there anything I should be doing to protect myself or just be patient? Fortunately my current hubby and I are doing well enough to get by without his money, but it does not mean we don't need it to replenish it at some point. My ex lives in a half million dollar home with a custom pool etc and has off road toys etc...: he has just got himself in over his head and his business is slow right now.
Any helpful tips would be great.

Thanks Debbie

Does he pay you directly or through the CSE? If its through the CSE then start bugging them about it. If he pays you directly, then you may need to consider taking him to court for contempt.

You don't want to let it go on too long, because it takes a while to get a court date, and the arrearages could climb pretty high in the meantime.

[wileybunch]

If you do have a case with CSE, they won't take action until the 10th of the month after payments are missed, ie. if November's payments aren't made by 12/10.

In CA, can you start a case even if child support isn't necessarily behind -- to have payments go through them in any event?

[Beezersmom]

We are not going through CSE. I have never had problems before. I feel bad pressing him when he is down financially, but I feel his child support is an important obligation.
Thanks for all the helpl.
Deb