Question by Anj: What should I expect in court where my Ex has been charged with contempt for failing to pay his child support?
The ADA filed the charge against him. He owes our 3 children over four thousand dollars in back child support. He has changed jobs repeatedly each time making less money. He thinks that makes it alright for him to stop paying his support as ordered. He has also moved several hours away, and hasn’t kept one of his court ordered visitations in a year. I have done everything I could to accommodate him. I have brought the children to him every time they have seen him except for two. These visits are not regular visit. He only stays about fifteen minutes or so and then leaves. This time it’s been over two months since he has seen them. He even missed our youngest child’s birthday. The children feel like they don’t know him anymore, and that he doesn’t know them. He thinks nothing will happen to him when he goes to court. He also threatens me that if he goes to jail, he will never pay his child support again. It really is out of my hands. I filed the case with the state office of child support recovery (Ga.). It has been extremely hard for the children and I since he stopped paying his support. I desperately need some relief through this court proceeding, but I’m not sure what to expect. I appreciate any help, especially if you have been through some thing similar.
Best answer:
Answer by Javier169
They will make him pay a certain amount by a certain time or he will be put behind bars…at least this is what they did to my deadbeat mother of my children
What do you think? Answer below!
#1 by Heatherrrrrrrr on September 3, 2010 - 12:29 am
You might have better luck asking him to give up all rights so you can file for government assistance. It is sad to say but you should just assume he is dead and move forward. Trying to get money out of a spiteful person is not easy. It only drains your energy.
#2 by jmd72inva on September 3, 2010 - 1:08 am
well…any tax return he ever expects will come to you…
basically- you can’t depend on him- he’s already proven that. Never let up on the court orders, but by no means should you hold your breath for consistant payments.
My ex hasn’t paid a dime in over 4 yrs, and I’ve had to do it on my own…in the long run it’s just better that way (tho I will haunt my ex forever)
#3 by Legandivori on September 3, 2010 - 1:09 am
Requewst he go to jail, and all money owed accrue interest…
#4 by box of rain on September 3, 2010 - 1:15 am
Nothing.
You cannot get blood from a turnip….
…or cash from an addict.
#5 by Nikki on September 3, 2010 - 1:44 am
If you take him back to court, YES he will pay. The court doesn’t take this issue lightly. Besides, he’s hurting his own children, not you. He needs to be responsible for his children also. As far as the kids not knowing him, maybe it’s best they don’t. It doesn’t sound like he’s making any attempts to see them, so why push the issue. If he is that much behind, they will give him an amount to come up with or he can be arrested for failure to pay child support. Good luck and don’t give up.
#6 by Arthur W on September 3, 2010 - 2:25 am
Maybe not much Im afraid. You cant collect where theres nothing to be collected from. The Judge could toss him in jail to give him time to think about it and start garnishing any wages he has and all tax returns, but if in jail no one collects. So even if a Judge orders him to bay the arrearages, unless he has a big checkbook, you wont be any better off than you are now. Most of this court date will be trying to get him to start paying on a regular basis and repaying the arrearages. Sorry.
#7 by maccrew6 on September 3, 2010 - 2:51 am
I’m with Heather when she says forget the back child support and get sole physical and legal custody of the kids. He obviously doesn’t want to be in their lives. Then get all of the assistance you can from the state. They can even arrange job training and college for you so you can make more money. You aren’t going to get much from this loser.
#8 by nottroyswife on September 3, 2010 - 3:25 am
He will go to jail for 30 days or pay a certain amount. If he goes to jail, get out, and not pay anymore? The same thing will happen, now for a longer period of time and with a higher “bailout”. Tell him he can always sign over his rights to the kids. What a scumbag! If he doesn’t show up, they will put out a bench warrant.