MO suddenly stopped collecting child support

[kfowler57]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Missouri

I'm writing for my son as he doesn't have computer access. He has an 11-year-old son from a prior relationship. The woman put unknown as the father on the b/c but when the boy was 5, she decided she wanted child support so together they took care of the paperwork and he's been paying since. It has been payroll deducted. After being out of work for about a year, he started working again last September and again Missouri started taking the child support out plus a little extra to get him caught up.

The father had a relationship with his son until, about a year ago, the mother decided she wanted her new boyfriend to be the boy's father figure and forbid the the father contact. She demanded he give up his parental rights so the boyfriend could adopt. He refused and had heard nothing more of that. He's been saving up for a lawyer regarding visitation but that's not his question(s) here.

Last week he got a child support refund check from MO with no explanation. He thought perhaps they'd incorrectly figured the extra they were taking for catch-up, but when he was paid this week, no child support was taken from his check at all. There was no explanation. He's received no papers from the state. He's tried calling the state but can only leave messages during his lunch hour.

What could be the reason for the state to stop payroll deducting his child support? Does he need to start paying her directly? Can the mother petition the state to stop collecting for her and, if so, can she change her mind later on and demand back child support?

Thank you.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[Proserpina]

I'd be wondering if his rights have been involuntarily terminated as part of a stepparent adoption (assuming Mom actually remarried).

All he can do is keep calling. Anything else is going to be pure speculation.

 

[mistoffolees]

I'd be wondering if his rights have been involuntarily terminated as part of a stepparent adoption (assuming Mom actually remarried).

If that's what happened, he's going to need that attorney. They shouldn't be able to do that without notifying him.

Although I wonder why he didn't enforce his rights a year ago when Mom stopped letting him see the child. That was probably a mistake.

All he can do is keep calling. Anything else is going to be pure speculation.

Yep. I'd be calling every hour (or more frequently) until I got someone who could tell me what was going on.

 

[CJane]

I've had active child support cases in MO for going on 7 years. I have NEVER ONCE called the hotline and had to leave a message. I've never even been on hold for more than 3 or 4 minutes.

If I call my caseworker directly, I've had to leave a message, but I get a call back within an hour.

The 800 number is staffed until like 7pm.

So, not going for the "can't get in touch with anyone" thing.

Dad could do a simple casenet search for his case as well. Any changes to the case would be noted in the docket, even if it's an administrative case. While he's at it, he should look for any civil cases involving him that indicate there's a child involved.

 

[Isis1]

My guess is mom closed the case in hopes of building an abandonment case for child adoption by a stepparent. "I haven't received contact or support for the child, your honor".

 

[LdiJ]

My guess is mom closed the case in hopes of building an abandonment case for child adoption by a stepparent. "I haven't received contact or support for the child, your honor".

That would be my guess too. I would recommend that dad get a savings account and sock the exact amount of child support away from each check.

That way, when he challenges mom's attempt to terminate his parental rights he will have the money to pay the arrearages in one lump sum.

 

[Cainlord]

does your son have a court order stating what his visitation is supposed to be? If so, and I'll defer to the attorney's on this site to confirm, but he may have something he can file contempt with?

Kudos to your son for not just walking away, too many scum bags would have seen this as an out and hit the door.