Do I still have to pay child support for my deceased husband?

[Ohiogal]

I live in California. My husband lived here too. His ex wife and children lived in California when they got divorced and the child support was arranged. His ex and their children currently live in Arkansas.

My husband had two children with his ex. He had to pay $650 a month in child support. Several years ago he got sick which made it hard for him to work. I was fully supporting him and I also started paying his child support.

The other day I was going over some unrelated financial stuff with my friend (who is also my accountant). I had forgotten about the child support until we were looking through statements. It's set up so that the money was automatically transferred once a month to his ex's account. So for the past 4 months it's continued to transfer the money. Given that I don't have a relationship with his children and my husband is no longer here I was going to stop the auto transfers. However my friend was telling me that I may still be on the hook for the payments since I was supporting my husband for several years before he died.

It that true? Do I have to keep paying this? If so how long do I have to pay this for?

Was he ordered to have life insurance until the last child emancipated? If so, then his ESTATE would be responsible. The children will also qualify for death benefits maybe.

 

[maverick92]

He did not have a life insurance policy. I don't know if he was ordered to have one or not though.

 

[LdiJ]

He did not have a life insurance policy. I don't know if he was ordered to have one or not though.

It is kind of a thing, but it is not super common.

 

[Ohiogal]

It is kind of a thing, but it is not super common.

When I was in private practice, it was basically common. Happened EVERY time. OP needs to find out.

 

[Ohiogal]

He did not have a life insurance policy. I don't know if he was ordered to have one or not though.

The last court orders in his divorce would state it... or maybe his divorce decree.

 

[maverick92]

The last court orders in his divorce would state it... or maybe his divorce decree.

I'll go look through his paperwork when I get home. What would happen if he was required to have a life insurance policy, but didn't have one?

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

I'll go look through his paperwork when I get home. What would happen if he was required to have a life insurance policy, but didn't have one?

The baby mama could go after the estate of the father.

 

[stealth2]

The baby mama could go after the estate of the father.

You mean.... the mother of the child?

 

[maverick92]

The baby mama could go after the estate of the father.

So since he didn't have anything aside from debt at the time of his death that's the end of it, right?

 

[AlmostThere]

So since he didn't have anything aside from debt at the time of his death that's the end of it, right?

Does the estate have any property of value? A car? A house? Gold coin collection?

 

[maverick92]

No, I owned the house we lived in on my own. His car was sold last year when he was unable to drive and the money went towards medical bills. I already let his ex and children go through his things and take whatever they wanted. I also kept a few things with sentimental value. Since they didn't want all the rest of his things, they were donated when I moved.

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

No, I owned the house we lived in on my own. His car was sold last year when he was unable to drive and the money went towards medical bills. I already let his ex and children go through his things and take whatever they wanted. I also kept a few things with sentimental value. Since they didn't want all the rest of his things, they were donated when I moved.

I think you are likely in the clear. And I certainly wouldn't be the one to bring up life insurance if his ex isn't.

When you say you owned the house do you mean your husband never paid for anything related to it.

 

[xkaliburbeforesunset]

You may still have to pay child support for your deceased husband. But depending on the circumstances it may be different in California versus Arkansas, so it's best to speak with a lawyer to better understand your situation.

 

[Ohiogal]

You may still have to pay child support for your deceased husband. But depending on the circumstances it may be different in California versus Arkansas, so it's best to speak with a lawyer to better understand your situation.

Please state your qualifications and also provide support for your assertion.

 

[Zigner]

You may still have to pay child support for your deceased husband. But depending on the circumstances it may be different in California versus Arkansas, so it's best to speak with a lawyer to better understand your situation.

The wife is under NO obligation to pay her husband's support payments.