So what do you all think I should do?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2005
So what do you all think I should do?
5
Mon, 04-23-2007 - 10:05pm

Hi everyone,

My divorce was finalized earlier this month. He didn't pay me child support for March and was supposed to pay me for April at the beginning of April for more child support (court raised it based on his income). I have not seen a dime since the end of February, and I have a 17 year old who is a big eater!

Should I leave him an email asking where the support is? Or should I contact my attorney? She said she can have his wages garnished, but I was hoping for a more amicable solution.

Thanks, Belinda

Avatar for momtojoeybear
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 04-23-2007 - 10:20pm

Well, I may be the one going overboard here, but I would go ahead and file for garnishment/enforcement at this time. When I got divorced, my xh was all ready 1500 in the hole and now several years later, owes me about $9K, but it would be much more if I hadn't filed for enforcement.

The way I look at it is that he agreed to pay x in CS each month and I am merely holding him to his word... your child deserves to have it...

Good Luck with your decision... the news of my enforcing the order wasn't necessarily well received, but it had to be done in my case...

Julie

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2005
Mon, 04-23-2007 - 10:52pm
My friends have said the same exact thing that you're saying. My son is getting ready to graduate from high school next month and I've had a lot of expenses. I guess I need to look at it as help for my son, not me (which it really is). I have been checking the mailbox every day hoping to find a check, but nothing has come. My son has been living with me full time since May, 2006, and all I've ever received from his father is $30 total.
Belinda
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 04-24-2007 - 12:42am

Hi.... file the garnishment order.


Karen ~ wildlucky4me ~

Avatar for eatatmoms
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 04-24-2007 - 7:45am

The way I look at it, HE is choosing to have his wages garnished - not you. My ex did the same thing while we were seperated, and then my attorney had his wages garnished starting when the divorce was finalized. He called me to ask WHY I would do something like that to him. He thought it showed that I don't trust him. I just explained that it's easier this way, then he doesn't have to remember each month and he doesn't have to worry about his check bouncing. Of course, he still writes a check (late) each month for medical expenses and childcare, but the bulk of what he owes is paid through the state. It's so much better this way!

Melanie

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2003
Tue, 04-24-2007 - 8:18am

I agree that you should take action now before it gets worse. I'm dealing with after effects of assuming that STBX will decide to do the right thing and being proven wrong. Don't end up like me :)

Furthermore, IMO withholding payment is simply a control game. Let your lawyer do the reminding and break that control cycle.

And my last comment is that child support is there for the benefit of your child. Just because you are the one controlling the money and making the financial decisions doesn't make it any less beneficial to your son.

Good luck with this.