Hey everyone, I really need some help. I’m 14, and my dad hasn’t paid child support my entire life. I live with my grandma, who is trying to take care of me and my brother on just her income. She makes $18 an hour and pays rent for a three-bedroom apartment. The only way we manage is because she splits the rent with my aunt, but my brother has to sleep in the living room. My aunt has her own kids, so she can’t help us much. We’re really struggling to get by and can’t afford to move into a place of our own. We found a three-bedroom house for $1,600 a month, but we need child support to make it work. My dad won’t help at all and we can’t even find him to go to court. He has a job and lives by himself, but he just disappears. What can we do to get child support? How do we move out of this apartment? My grandma can’t do this alone, and I can’t contribute financially since I’m still in middle school. Thanks for any advice.
I’m really sorry to hear this. It sounds tough. Have you thought about reaching out to a lawyer or a local child support agency? They can help track him down.
You might also check with your school counselor. They can help you find resources for legal aid or support services in your area.
It’s great that your grandma is there for you. Have you considered community programs? Sometimes there are local charities that help families in need.
You should definitely document everything about your dad not paying. It could help in court. Keep records of any attempts to contact him too.
I think you can also file for a petition to establish child support even if he doesn’t show up. A lawyer can guide you through that process.