Child Support

I am a 23 year old father of a 5 year old daughter, I never married the Mom. I have paid support sence day one. The Mom has never been able to keep a job, has been fired from every job she has every had-the longest she held a job was for about 3 months. Last March while working she bought a car-shortly after that she was fried-she asked me if I could give her $20 more a week-I agreed But, to protect myself I called the Department of Human Services and told them I wanted to do this-I was thinking they would just take the 20 out of my check with the other weekly amount-WRONG-they decided they would take out $50 more a week--I asked for a hearing-that took a few months to get a date. I lost at the hearing--so, they decided to go back to the date when I asked to up my child support payment and then they told me I owed a large amount in BACK payments----Today I got a letter from them telling me if I didn't pay this amount in full in 30 days they are going to keep my Fed. and State tax refund check---I must add that when they told me I owed that amount in back payments I again called them and asked them to take out an extra $10 a week (now making it $87.00)so I could pay this off. I have my daughter EVERY week-end (Firday at noon when she gets out of school until Sunday at 6:00---sometimes MOnday mornings). I buy all her outer clothing and clothes for my house when for when she is here-I pay for her after school activities, Health and dental Ins. I love her very much and love being with her--she is my life. I would love to do SPECIAL things with her on the week-ends BUT never have any money. I live 2 hours from her BUT, I call her every night. I can't afford a lawyer BUT I need some advice--what can I do to make the state under stand I have NO $$$$ left to pay my other house hold bills on time. Can some one Help me????

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by shenanagens:
[b]I am a 23 year old father of a 5 year old daughter, I never married the Mom. I have paid support sence day one. The Mom has never been able to keep a job, has been fired from every job she has every had-the longest she held a job was for about 3 months. Last March while working she bought a car-shortly after that she was fried-she asked me if I could give her $20 more a week-I agreed But, to protect myself I called the Department of Human Services and told them I wanted to do this-I was thinking they would just take the 20 out of my check with the other weekly amount-WRONG-they decided they would take out $50 more a week--I asked for a hearing-that took a few months to get a date. I lost at the hearing--so, they decided to go back to the date when I asked to up my child support payment and then they told me I owed a large amount in BACK payments----Today I got a letter from them telling me if I didn't pay this amount in full in 30 days they are going to keep my Fed. and State tax refund check---I must add that when they told me I owed that amount in back payments I again called them and asked them to take out an extra $10 a week (now making it $87.00)so I could pay this off. I have my daughter EVERY week-end (Firday at noon when she gets out of school until Sunday at 6:00---sometimes MOnday mornings). I buy all her outer clothing and clothes for my house when for when she is here-I pay for her after school activities, Health and dental Ins. I love her very much and love being with her--she is my life. I would love to do SPECIAL things with her on the week-ends BUT never have any money. I live 2 hours from her BUT, I call her every night. I can't afford a lawyer BUT I need some advice--what can I do to make the state under stand I have NO $$$$ left to pay my other house hold bills on time. Can some one Help me????[/b]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hey there, I think your in the same boat as other dad's. But, I think you have an OUT - you seem to have your daughter at least 12 days a month if you include Friday, Saturday and Sunday and sometimes Monday mornings. You should get a lawyer - because I bet you could say you have JOINT CUSTODY - which means you probably won't have to pay as much. I know you say you can't afford an attorney, but - pay for the attorney now and you could save yourself lots of Child Support payments - some lawyers take credit cards - so you might want to do that. I'll pray for ya!V

Hey there, I think your in the same boat as other dad's. But, I think you have an OUT - you seem to have your daughter at least 12 days a month if you include Friday, Saturday and Sunday and sometimes Monday mornings. You should get a lawyer - because I bet you could say you have JOINT CUSTODY - which means you probably won't have to pay as much. I know you say you can't afford an attorney, but - pay for the attorney now and you could save yourself lots of Child Support payments - some lawyers take credit cards - so you might want to do that. I'll pray for ya!