Dad was court ordered to pay ‘temporary guideline child support, medical support, and dental support’ to mom for the care of the children. That order was issued on January 30, 2025. Dad is ignoring all messages about when he will pay support. He already owes $82K in back child support. How long should we wait to file a motion for contempt? Dad has a high-dollar lawyer that is being paid for by someone with deep pockets who wants access to the children, and mom is pro se because the legal fees have piled up to the point that savings and financial resources are exhausted. Mom is the sole managing conservator.
How old are you and why are you involved in this?
Fiona said:
How old are you and why are you involved in this?
I’m the step-dad. My age is not relevant.
Why is a garnishment order not issued?
Clementine said:
Why is a garnishment order not issued?
Dad has worked off the books for the last decade to avoid meeting his financial obligations. He made a deal to get his legal fees covered and is throwing lies about mom at the wall via his lawyer to see if anything will stick. Lots of lies.
You still get a garnishment order. If he ever works, you get money.
You should sign up for enforcement of child support with your local child support office. They can help take that burden off you and have resources that you won’t have.
Presley said:
You should sign up for enforcement of child support with your local child support office. They can help take that burden off you and have resources that you won’t have.
Mom, the kids, and step-dad live in Washington. Bio dad moved from New Hampshire to Texas after mom filed in Washington for a parenting plan and lied to the court that the kids’ home state is Texas.
Then she needs to enroll with Washington IV-D. Washington will send a request to Texas for Texas to enforce the Texas order. Otherwise, she’ll have to hire an attorney in Texas.
Ava said:
Then she needs to enroll with Washington IV-D. Washington will send a request to Texas for Texas to enforce the Texas order. Otherwise, she’ll have to hire an attorney in Texas.
Yes, we did contact Texas to find out the status of our enrollment and what they were doing to enforce the order.
If he is already $80K behind, the AG should file a contempt motion. If the AG is already handling enforcement, there isn’t much a private attorney can do.
Harlow said:
If he is already $80K behind, the AG should file a contempt motion. If the AG is already handling enforcement, there isn’t much a private attorney can do.
He’s $80K behind because he has been playing this game for a decade. The $7K of support he has paid in the last ten years came from tax intercepts.
I’d wait 30 days before filing. Mom needs to ask for a wage assignment for the child support so it automatically comes out of his check.
Mom needs to make sure to ask the lawyer about a wage assignment and how to get it set up correctly.