Child Support Confusion...

[AnyHelp]

Warning: Long story follows... I filed for divorce(no lawyer) in May 1999 in the state of MD, and at the time I filed for divorce, I also petitioned the courts to determine child support at the same time... When my divorce was finalized in 2000, I simply had to appear before a Master Examiner to finalize... I discussed the child support issue with her, and she explained to me that the court would subpeona the ex's pay records, and determine child support, there was nothing else for me to do. I received my divorce decree in the mail a short time later, but no word on the child support issue. A month later, I went to the Domestic Relations Department for assistance, and they told me they would pursue child support from my ex. I gave them all the information they needed, and never heard back from them... Last week I finally got the number for Child Support Enforcement and gave them a call and told them all this... They explained to me that since the court had never sent me an Order saying that my ex owed child support, and what amount, they couldn't help me out, and that since he now lives OUT OF STATE, it would take over a year to try to get things straightened out... So, I'm trying to figure out where I go from here, since I had originally petitioned the courts at the time I filed for divorce... And now that it's been almost two years that I've had sole custody of my kids, how can I get back pay with no Order ??? Any assistance is MUCH appreciated,

 

[LadyBlu]

Warning: Long story follows... I filed for divorce(no lawyer) in May 1999 in the state of MD, and at the time I filed for divorce, I also petitioned the courts to determine child support at the same time... When my divorce was finalized in 2000, I simply had to appear before a Master Examiner to finalize... I discussed the child support issue with her, and she explained to me that the court would subpeona the ex's pay records, and determine child support, there was nothing else for me to do. I received my divorce decree in the mail a short time later, but no word on the child support issue. A month later, I went to the Domestic Relations Department for assistance, and they told me they would pursue child support from my ex. I gave them all the information they needed, and never heard back from them... Last week I finally got the number for Child Support Enforcement and gave them a call and told them all this... They explained to me that since the court had never sent me an Order saying that my ex owed child support, and what amount, they couldn't help me out, and that since he now lives OUT OF STATE, it would take over a year to try to get things straightened out... So, I'm trying to figure out where I go from here, since I had originally petitioned the courts at the time I filed for divorce... And now that it's been almost two years that I've had sole custody of my kids, how can I get back pay with no Order ??? Any assistance is MUCH appreciated,

Here is a site that provides legal forms for MD courts. You will need Adobe Acrobat to view and print. Get your Support established and also petition for back support based on the courts error in not granting it in the original order as they had stated.

http://www.co.pg.md.us/act-form.htm