MomIsWorried
Member
What is the name of your state? Ohio
A couple of scenarios:
*Please note that both scenarios were handled by the same county CSEA agency.
1) Couple "B" divorces, exhusband is ordered to pay support. He does so faithfully every month for years, never falling behind or so much as having a late payment. Exhusband is in an accident, and cannot work for 3 months. Exhusband was the "at fault" driver, so there is no money coming in for lost time wages. Exhusband informs support office of his injuries and temporary inability to work, requests temporary reduction in support which is denied. Exhusband then tries to work a deal with the CSEA where he would sign a paper allowing them to deduct double payments from his paychecks once he is able to go back to work until the 3 months of arrears are paid off. Again, the request is denied. Within 2 months of exhusbands accident, there is a contempt charge against him for failure to pay his support (arrears at that point were $810...2 months worth of child support). He is found in contempt, even after submitting proof from his doctors that he is unable to work.
2) Couple "B" again. Exhusband was awarded custody of couples 2 children in 2001. Exwife is ordered to pay support. Exwife quickly falls behind in her CS payments, sending a support payment once every 3-4 months (she was paid weekly). Around the time her arrears were around $2000, she is bitten by a dog on her hand and must undergo surgery to fix a tendon. Exwife milks this injury for over a year, during which time she pays no support. Her arrears continue to climb, and reach $5000+. Exhusband finally calls CSEA office asking what they are doing to collect his CS. Case worker tells him that they cannot collect due to the fact that exwife has an injury and cannot work at this time. Exwife finally goes back to work, part time. Exhusband again calls CS agency to ask why they are still not enforcing the CS order, and is told by his caseworker "Well, she is only working part time for minimum wage." Exhusband says "And your point is...?" and caseworker replies "Well, I can't take all of her money, she has to live too, you know!"
Wait a minute. Exhusband is unable to work for 3 months due to an injury and is found in contempt for being $810 behind in his support, but the exwife can be over $5000 behind in her support due to an injury, and that's OK?
Are all states CS agencies this messed up? At one point, exhusband from these scenarios (who is my husband) considered filing a suit of some sort against the State of Ohio CSEA...but knew he would have more in attorney fees than what exwife owed him. It was just the principle, you know?
It just amazes me that a CS agency can handle cases like this the way they do and get away with it. When dad is ordered to pay, they go after him with full force, but when mom is ordered to pay, the cut her all kinds of slack. It's like they are saying "If the kids live with mom, they deserve to be supported by dad. But if they live with dad, he can support them on his own, mom has bills of her own to pay."
A couple of scenarios:
*Please note that both scenarios were handled by the same county CSEA agency.
1) Couple "B" divorces, exhusband is ordered to pay support. He does so faithfully every month for years, never falling behind or so much as having a late payment. Exhusband is in an accident, and cannot work for 3 months. Exhusband was the "at fault" driver, so there is no money coming in for lost time wages. Exhusband informs support office of his injuries and temporary inability to work, requests temporary reduction in support which is denied. Exhusband then tries to work a deal with the CSEA where he would sign a paper allowing them to deduct double payments from his paychecks once he is able to go back to work until the 3 months of arrears are paid off. Again, the request is denied. Within 2 months of exhusbands accident, there is a contempt charge against him for failure to pay his support (arrears at that point were $810...2 months worth of child support). He is found in contempt, even after submitting proof from his doctors that he is unable to work.
2) Couple "B" again. Exhusband was awarded custody of couples 2 children in 2001. Exwife is ordered to pay support. Exwife quickly falls behind in her CS payments, sending a support payment once every 3-4 months (she was paid weekly). Around the time her arrears were around $2000, she is bitten by a dog on her hand and must undergo surgery to fix a tendon. Exwife milks this injury for over a year, during which time she pays no support. Her arrears continue to climb, and reach $5000+. Exhusband finally calls CSEA office asking what they are doing to collect his CS. Case worker tells him that they cannot collect due to the fact that exwife has an injury and cannot work at this time. Exwife finally goes back to work, part time. Exhusband again calls CS agency to ask why they are still not enforcing the CS order, and is told by his caseworker "Well, she is only working part time for minimum wage." Exhusband says "And your point is...?" and caseworker replies "Well, I can't take all of her money, she has to live too, you know!"
Wait a minute. Exhusband is unable to work for 3 months due to an injury and is found in contempt for being $810 behind in his support, but the exwife can be over $5000 behind in her support due to an injury, and that's OK?Are all states CS agencies this messed up? At one point, exhusband from these scenarios (who is my husband) considered filing a suit of some sort against the State of Ohio CSEA...but knew he would have more in attorney fees than what exwife owed him. It was just the principle, you know?
It just amazes me that a CS agency can handle cases like this the way they do and get away with it. When dad is ordered to pay, they go after him with full force, but when mom is ordered to pay, the cut her all kinds of slack. It's like they are saying "If the kids live with mom, they deserve to be supported by dad. But if they live with dad, he can support them on his own, mom has bills of her own to pay."