Florida-I'm not quite sure what I can do. The Family Services department that ordered the withholding of child support is in New Jersey and I, and my employer, live in Florida. Who has jurisdiction?
I sent a letter, to NJ Family Services, explaining the situation and requesting a computer printout of all payments received since 1 Jan. 2002, as well as, copies of any letters to my employer ordering the CS be withheld. I enclosed copies of my last four paycheck stubs showing the CS had, in fact, been withheld. I asked if they would pursue this matter, or should I file charges myself. I mailed the letter by certified mail and requested delivery confirmation. I have the original letter, my paycheck stubs, and the receipts from the post office. Since the letter was mailed on 26 September 2002, I have not, of course, received delivery confirmation or a response, as yet. However, a couple of weeks ago, when I discovered that the money was still not being paid, I wrote Family Services, explained that the money had been withheld from my paycheck, and enclosed my latest paycheck stub with the child support circled in red, and their response was to send me payment coupons. I can't afford to send them CS payments, myself, in addition to having the payments withheld from my pay. I thought that, once they saw my check stub, they would investigate the matter themselves, without my having to implicate my employer, myself, but that was not the case. They tend to not pay attention very well. I'm afraid they'll put a warrant out for my arrest, and ask questions later.
When my employer confronted his wife with what she had done, her attitude was "tough, I needed the money, myself" so, I would not have a problem with putting her in jail. My employer, though, is guilty only in the sense that the company is in his name (her's, too). My employer has a cabin cruiser sitting in his driveway and his wife has a horse in the backyard, either of which could have been sold, if they needed money, instead of stealing my child support payments.
Should I find an attorney, or have I adequately covered myself? Since more than one state is involved, is this a matter for the FBI? I'm going on vacation in a week (planned since May) and don't want to lose my vacation pay, at this time, but will be changing jobs upon my return.