My ex has really gone off the deep end in the past 12 months. He begged me to lower the child support or he was going to fight for custody, which I originally said maybe but let me contact an attorney first. The next paycheck, I found that he already reduced payments without my agreement. I tried to keep the peace because I don’t want him to take the kids, as they don’t know him and he has only ever used threats of custody to manipulate me. Now we are struggling financially, especially after he refused to help with education expenses. I asked him to start paying the original amount, but he has ignored me for over six months. We can’t afford groceries, and I tried applying for food stamps, but they want to get child support involved. The problem is our court order is in another state and we both live in a new state. I want it modified, but I don’t want to open a new case. He also claimed both children on his tax return intentionally this year, even though our order states only I can. What do I do?
Stop listening to his threats. Go to the new state and file a new court order for child support. Let them validate his income and agree on his parenting time. File for food stamps and let them go after him for child support.
If you claim them and attach supporting documentation showing you can, the IRS will sort it out. Get an attorney and use an accountant they recommend for filing your return.
Get a lawyer.
Get an attorney and take him back to court to make him pay the back child support. If your children are old enough, they can express to the judge why they don’t want to be with their dad.
The IRS will sort it out. You may need to file your taxes on paper this year. Attach your custody order as proof that you have them the majority of the time.
File your taxes now, listing your children as your dependents. The IRS will sort that part out.
Going through social services for food stamps will help with child support collection without lawyer costs. It worked for me after years of non-payment.
When you move states, file your current child support order in your new home state for enforcement.
Consider registering your divorce in your current state so they can modify child support and enable enforcement actions. Contact your local family court for existing forms.
He threatens you with custody because it works. Let them handle the collection so he can’t just decide what amount to pay. Your kids should not go without because you’re afraid to use legal options.
If he claimed the kids on his tax returns but you can prove they live with you over 50% of the year, go ahead and claim them. The IRS will eventually sort it out.
You need to domesticate your case in the state you live in. This means a motion to transfer the case so the family court can watch for it.
You need to stop waiting. Go to the courthouse now and file. If he wrongfully filed taxes, report it to the IRS, which could get him in trouble.
File your taxes with the kids, send all documents with your return. It may take longer, but they will make him repay, and you will get your refund.
Enforcing child support isn’t easy. If you have a court order, file your taxes the old-fashioned way and attach the court agreement.
File your taxes on paper and let the IRS audit him.
Consider contacting a lawyer in the state where your original order was issued.