17 Years Without Support Order, Now Being Threatened

[M.K.G.]

I really don't now how to be brief with this situation, but I will try. 17 years and 11 months ago my husband had a child with another woman out of wed-lock. Six months after the child was born the mother decided she no longer wanted my husband in her or the childs life. My husband attempted to provide support and continue a relationship with his child, but the mother refused to both. unfortunetly my husband did not have the finicial resources to fight this in court, so mom got her way. My husband had no contact with his daughter for 14 years. Approx. 6 years ago he met her stepfather, gave him our phone number and offered to pay support at that time, step father refused. 2 years after that my husbands daughter contacted him and he has had a relationship with her ever since. We offered again to pay child support and pay her school tuition ,both refused. We have bought her clothes and given the child money, she lived with us for six months when her mother threw her out of the house, but her mother and step father have always refused support. Yesturday, mom called and stated you need to pay all her medical bills (and gave a list ) ,give me $xxx.xx per week or I can and might take you to court for back child support. Can she do that ? the amount seems excessive, don't have a problem paying support If i don't pay that amount she going to sue me ! Help

 

[Kelly143]

I do believe that it's too late to collect support. By the time the mother actually filed and the case was heard, the child would already be 18. Most states only allow you to collect support from the date of filing, or at most for a couple of years prior to filing. The judge will probably laugh her right out of court for waiting so long to ask for support. The next time she calls, tell her the courts don't usually take well to blackmail, which is what she is trying to do. Both you and your husband should just forget about the mother and concentrate on your relationship with his daughter.

 

[scumcoast]

Kelly is right on the mark. Don't give her mother anything now. If you want to help get copies of the bills and pay them your self. Do want you can to provide for your daughter directly to her or maybe her school things.

 

[Grandma B]

I agree. Unless she had court-ordered support and had made efforts to collect it.

What a waste not being able to see the daughter all those years. Good luck on the renewed relationship!