goofygolfer
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MA and NH
My original CS order was set in MA. My ex-wife and I had a mediator before our divorce that figured my CS obligation to be $185 per week in our divorce papers that were filed. We had also decided that I would pay my ex directly instead of going through the state because the mediator told us it is easier that way. Before we went to court I was laid off from my job and collecting unemployment. On the day of our hearing the mediator filled out new paperwork to lower my support to $72 per week and filed it with the divorce decree.
A few months went by and I received notice from the state of MA that they were going to start enforcing the order and I was in arrears for the $185 per week and not the $72 (which I had been paying my ex). I went down to the court and they went through my papers and found the amended support agreement but they refused to honor it because the judge hadn't signed it on the day of my divorce hearing. They told me that I would have to file for a new hearing which I did on that day. A few weeks later I had not heard anything so I called and they had no record of me filing. I went back down and re-filed. I called a few weeks later to follow up and spoke with an employee who informed me that because my ex and I both live in NH now we had to have our case transferred and MA would not grant me a hearing.
I went down to the offices in NH and they gave me paperwork for both me and my ex to fill out. Even though she told me she knows I am paying too much my ex does not want to receive less money so she refuses to fill out her half. I went back to the NH offices and they told me that there is nothing that they can do to help until she fills out the paperwork. They also told me I should seek legal help to get her to comply. At this time I have found another job but it pays much less than my last one. I bring home just over $200 per week after the $140 that is taken out for my first child from the state of NH and then the $185 that is being taken out from MA. I also pay around $40 per week in arrears. It will be very hard for me to afford a lawyer so I am looking for advice on which state I need to pursue my case through. I have been told by the employees in MA that there is nothing I can do in that state and the employees in NH told me there is nothing I can do until she fills out paperwork as well. I do plan on filing for a modification for my first child as well and I have the kit to fill out for that. I am unsure if I should hire a MA or a NH lawyer or if there is still anything I can try without a lawyer. If we do get the case transferred will it fall under NH guidelines or still be under MA guidelines? Any advice would be appreciated.
My original CS order was set in MA. My ex-wife and I had a mediator before our divorce that figured my CS obligation to be $185 per week in our divorce papers that were filed. We had also decided that I would pay my ex directly instead of going through the state because the mediator told us it is easier that way. Before we went to court I was laid off from my job and collecting unemployment. On the day of our hearing the mediator filled out new paperwork to lower my support to $72 per week and filed it with the divorce decree.
A few months went by and I received notice from the state of MA that they were going to start enforcing the order and I was in arrears for the $185 per week and not the $72 (which I had been paying my ex). I went down to the court and they went through my papers and found the amended support agreement but they refused to honor it because the judge hadn't signed it on the day of my divorce hearing. They told me that I would have to file for a new hearing which I did on that day. A few weeks later I had not heard anything so I called and they had no record of me filing. I went back down and re-filed. I called a few weeks later to follow up and spoke with an employee who informed me that because my ex and I both live in NH now we had to have our case transferred and MA would not grant me a hearing.
I went down to the offices in NH and they gave me paperwork for both me and my ex to fill out. Even though she told me she knows I am paying too much my ex does not want to receive less money so she refuses to fill out her half. I went back to the NH offices and they told me that there is nothing that they can do to help until she fills out the paperwork. They also told me I should seek legal help to get her to comply. At this time I have found another job but it pays much less than my last one. I bring home just over $200 per week after the $140 that is taken out for my first child from the state of NH and then the $185 that is being taken out from MA. I also pay around $40 per week in arrears. It will be very hard for me to afford a lawyer so I am looking for advice on which state I need to pursue my case through. I have been told by the employees in MA that there is nothing I can do in that state and the employees in NH told me there is nothing I can do until she fills out paperwork as well. I do plan on filing for a modification for my first child as well and I have the kit to fill out for that. I am unsure if I should hire a MA or a NH lawyer or if there is still anything I can try without a lawyer. If we do get the case transferred will it fall under NH guidelines or still be under MA guidelines? Any advice would be appreciated.