So, the parent who had custody of the child passed away. As the non-custodial parent, am I still on the hook for child support? I’ve never met the child; the court ordered child support even though I didn’t want to keep the baby. Now, I live far away, and I’ve just learned about the parent’s death from the estate.
I’m getting mixed messages from child support enforcement and the current caretakers. They say I need to keep paying unless I seek custody, which I don’t want. My work won’t stop garnishing my wages without a court order, even though I have the death certificate.
Here are my questions:
- Can I be forced to keep paying child support to someone who isn’t the custodial parent?
- Can I request the child be put up for adoption, even though the caretaker has been named?
- If I file for custody and can’t adopt out the child, can I still put them up for private adoption?
- How do I check if the estate/caretakers can support the child financially?
- Can I ask for receipts like the previous custodial parent provided?
- If the child ends up in foster care or orphaned, do I still pay child support?
- Will the court want me to speak? I’d prefer not to see the child due to personal reasons.
I’m reaching out to a lawyer, but I’d appreciate any advice or insight you all might have.