Child Support Arrears

[freedomm73]

I live in Texas and my ex-wife and son live in California where the child support was set. I was in the military when the child support was set at an incredible $675 a month for one child. I have fallen behind over the years and am now in for $45 K to $50 K. I have paid child support since the day his mother and I separated except for the times I was between jobs (which was not often if at all). Some of the jobs I had I did not make enough to pay the full amount and take care of myself so in turn child support arrears climbed slowly until California interest kicked in and since doubled. I have talked to attorneys here in Texas and I get the same answer, which is you must go to California to do anything we cannot help you. I am feeling very overwhelmed by this whole situation as I have been living paycheck to paycheck for 15 years now to pay child support and take care of my current family. Heart attack at age 42 and do not know what I can do if anything. One last note is that i am not trying to get out of paying child support.

Need to know if child support arrears in California can be forgiven, reduced, or anything for that matter? Need help before before the stress will cause me to lose my family or my life.

Thank you to anyone who can help

 

[Just Blue]

I live in Texas and my ex-wife and son live in California where the child support was set. I was in the military when the child support was set at an incredible $675 a month for one child. I have fallen behind over the years and am now in for $45 K to $50 K. I have paid child support since the day his mother and I separated except for the times I was between jobs (which was not often if at all). Some of the jobs I had I did not make enough to pay the full amount and take care of myself so in turn child support arrears climbed slowly until California interest kicked in and since doubled. I have talked to attorneys here in Texas and I get the same answer, which is you must go to California to do anything we cannot help you. I am feeling very overwhelmed by this whole situation as I have been living paycheck to paycheck for 15 years now to pay child support and take care of my current family. Heart attack at age 42 and do not know what I can do if anything. One last note is that i am not trying to get out of paying child support.

Need to know if child support arrears in California can be forgiven, reduced, or anything for that matter? Need help before before the stress will cause me to lose my family or my life.

Thank you to anyone who can help

I do not have the ability to advise you in this. But I want to Thank You for serving our Country.

Blue

 

[Ohiogal]

I live in Texas and my ex-wife and son live in California where the child support was set. I was in the military when the child support was set at an incredible $675 a month for one child. I have fallen behind over the years and am now in for $45 K to $50 K. I have paid child support since the day his mother and I separated except for the times I was between jobs (which was not often if at all). Some of the jobs I had I did not make enough to pay the full amount and take care of myself so in turn child support arrears climbed slowly until California interest kicked in and since doubled. I have talked to attorneys here in Texas and I get the same answer, which is you must go to California to do anything we cannot help you. I am feeling very overwhelmed by this whole situation as I have been living paycheck to paycheck for 15 years now to pay child support and take care of my current family. Heart attack at age 42 and do not know what I can do if anything. One last note is that i am not trying to get out of paying child support.

Need to know if child support arrears in California can be forgiven, reduced, or anything for that matter? Need help before before the stress will cause me to lose my family or my life.

Thank you to anyone who can help

Why have you not ever filed for a modification?

 

[Silverplum]

I hope these links can help you:

http://www.occourts.org/directory/family/child-support.html

http://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-support.htm

http://www.childsup.ca.gov/resources/applyforservices.aspx

http://lawhelpca.org/issues/families-and-kids/child-support

 

[Proserpina]

I hope these links can help you:

http://www.occourts.org/directory/family/child-support.html

http://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp-support.htm

http://www.childsup.ca.gov/resources/applyforservices.aspx

http://lawhelpca.org/issues/families-and-kids/child-support

triple Like.

(for some reason my "like" button only works intermittently)

 

[Just Blue]

triple Like.

(for some reason my "like" button only works intermittently)

Mine didn't work the first time I tried on this thread. It does now.

 

[Proserpina]

I live in Texas and my ex-wife and son live in California where the child support was set. I was in the military when the child support was set at an incredible $675 a month for one child. I have fallen behind over the years and am now in for $45 K to $50 K. I have paid child support since the day his mother and I separated except for the times I was between jobs (which was not often if at all). Some of the jobs I had I did not make enough to pay the full amount and take care of myself so in turn child support arrears climbed slowly until California interest kicked in and since doubled. I have talked to attorneys here in Texas and I get the same answer, which is you must go to California to do anything we cannot help you. I am feeling very overwhelmed by this whole situation as I have been living paycheck to paycheck for 15 years now to pay child support and take care of my current family. Heart attack at age 42 and do not know what I can do if anything. One last note is that i am not trying to get out of paying child support.

Need to know if child support arrears in California can be forgiven, reduced, or anything for that matter? Need help before before the stress will cause me to lose my family or my life.

Thank you to anyone who can help

In addition to the (extremely helpful) links provided, I've found another which may help:

http://www.childsup.ca.gov/payments/compromiseofarrearsprogram.aspx

(COAP only applies to arrears owed to the State) If you actually owe Mom, she's the only one who can forgive/waive the arrears. There is actually a form for that, too. Bear in mind it's not automatic and the court can deny the petition. If that happens, there's nothing at all stopping you from paying Mom as ordered and Mom giving the money right back to you. Obviously you need Mom's cooperation for this to work and frankly if it were me, I'd be less inclined to work with you.

http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/fl626.pdf

Please understand too, that the court may well ask why you created another family while you were unable to support the child you already had; it's a valid question and requires an answer.

 

[ash_78]

..... I have paid child support since the day his mother and I separated except for the times I was between jobs (which was not often if at all). Some of the jobs I had I did not make enough to pay the full amount and take care of myself so in turn child support arrears climbed slowly ...

You were expected to file a motion to modify child support when you were out of work or when the jobs had less pay. If the support is only owed to the mother try to make a lump sum deal with her and hope the court goes along with it.

 

[torimac]

Technically, you do not have to go to California. You do need to file paperwork in CA. You can fill out the required paperwork and file by mail. When the court date is assigned, request a telephonic appearance. It would be best if you could attend court in person, but you have the option to attend by telephone. I have done this a few times when I moved from CA to TX.