What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Pennsylvania
Hello. My ex-husband and I divorced in 2007. We didn't want to go through the court system for child support because I'm in Pennsylvania and he in Georgia, and we wanted to make things simple for both of us. We agreed that he would pay me child support every 1st and 15th for our 2 children and I didn't want to make him pay me alimony. The thing is, sometimes he pays late, less then what we agreed, or nothing at all. He deployed in June 2011, and since then, has decided he can pay what he wants, when he wants, if he wants. Even though I was having trouble with the support before his deployment, I finally decided enough was enough because for the past 4 years, I've been too nice and I'm tired of being taken advantage of. I honestly felt horrible the day I went to domestic relations to file for the child support, because I feel like I'm being a horrible person for doing it. (He used to always tell me I was too nice of a person, and people always took advantage of that). I filed for child support in September 2011. The court date was set for November 1st, 2011, and I was told when the decision is made that day, he will have to pay backpay for September and October 2011.
The court order stated that since he's deployed he obviously doesn't need to show up, but he can either call in or have his power of attorney come or call in his place. The only thing he needs to supply the court is his current LES via email, fax, or mail if he cannot call or have his power of attorney call. He has made it clear to me many times that he has access to a phone whenever he wants. Not only that he calls one of his many girlfriends at all hours of the day. He is in a non-combat zone in Kuwait, he spends all day on facebook and the phone. He refuses to give the name or contact information of his power of attorney, refuses to call in on November 1st, and he refuses to send his LES. Like I said, after his deployment he pays what he wants, when he wants, and I find this unacceptable because he is getting paid a LOT more then what he used to, he doesn't have to pay taxes, and he isn't paying water, electricity, telephone, internet, cel phone, etc like he used to. There is NO REASON for him to not pay a steady child support now.
He says that by federal law, since he is deployed, he doesn't have to "deal" with this right now, and I will have to wait until he is back in June 2012; and I will "take what I get and live with it" during this time.
I spoke to my worker today, and she says this is unacceptable as well, and said she will most likely be issuing a bench warrant for him if he doesn't contact her or send his LES by November 1st.
What will happen to him if a bench warrant is issued while he is deployed? Can they force him to pay child support while he is deployed? Will I have to wait till June 2012 to get this settled? If I do, will I still receive back pay from September 2011 - June 2012? If I do, and the amount is a very high amount that he can't pay right away, what will happen? Why won't his army unit cooperate in this? His commander says he doesn't need to pay the child support by court order right now, or make any calls or send his LES for the hearing. Is this correct?
Hello. My ex-husband and I divorced in 2007. We didn't want to go through the court system for child support because I'm in Pennsylvania and he in Georgia, and we wanted to make things simple for both of us. We agreed that he would pay me child support every 1st and 15th for our 2 children and I didn't want to make him pay me alimony. The thing is, sometimes he pays late, less then what we agreed, or nothing at all. He deployed in June 2011, and since then, has decided he can pay what he wants, when he wants, if he wants. Even though I was having trouble with the support before his deployment, I finally decided enough was enough because for the past 4 years, I've been too nice and I'm tired of being taken advantage of. I honestly felt horrible the day I went to domestic relations to file for the child support, because I feel like I'm being a horrible person for doing it. (He used to always tell me I was too nice of a person, and people always took advantage of that). I filed for child support in September 2011. The court date was set for November 1st, 2011, and I was told when the decision is made that day, he will have to pay backpay for September and October 2011.
The court order stated that since he's deployed he obviously doesn't need to show up, but he can either call in or have his power of attorney come or call in his place. The only thing he needs to supply the court is his current LES via email, fax, or mail if he cannot call or have his power of attorney call. He has made it clear to me many times that he has access to a phone whenever he wants. Not only that he calls one of his many girlfriends at all hours of the day. He is in a non-combat zone in Kuwait, he spends all day on facebook and the phone. He refuses to give the name or contact information of his power of attorney, refuses to call in on November 1st, and he refuses to send his LES. Like I said, after his deployment he pays what he wants, when he wants, and I find this unacceptable because he is getting paid a LOT more then what he used to, he doesn't have to pay taxes, and he isn't paying water, electricity, telephone, internet, cel phone, etc like he used to. There is NO REASON for him to not pay a steady child support now.
He says that by federal law, since he is deployed, he doesn't have to "deal" with this right now, and I will have to wait until he is back in June 2012; and I will "take what I get and live with it" during this time.
I spoke to my worker today, and she says this is unacceptable as well, and said she will most likely be issuing a bench warrant for him if he doesn't contact her or send his LES by November 1st.
What will happen to him if a bench warrant is issued while he is deployed? Can they force him to pay child support while he is deployed? Will I have to wait till June 2012 to get this settled? If I do, will I still receive back pay from September 2011 - June 2012? If I do, and the amount is a very high amount that he can't pay right away, what will happen? Why won't his army unit cooperate in this? His commander says he doesn't need to pay the child support by court order right now, or make any calls or send his LES for the hearing. Is this correct?
Last edited: