I started off sending money to her personal account for child support. Now she wants payments sent to two different accounts linked to an unregistered church online. I saw the same Zelle account on their website. She’s also claiming she never got the child support, saying she couldn’t get a bank account. I’ve given card extensions to our kids for expenses. Plus, she’s asking for back child support for our daughter, who’s 26 and left when she turned 18. She also accuses me of manipulating things and is using pictures of our underage daughter on the church website. Can I do anything about this?
If the payments don’t go through the child support agency, they might be seen as gifts. If this has been your usual method, you could face challenges in proving those payments. Do you have a formal child support order?
@Whitley
True, if it’s not labeled as child support on the money order or check, it could be viewed as a gift
I suggest contacting your state’s child support enforcement agency. They can help you route payments through them. You’d either pay via wage garnishment or direct bank transfers, and they manage the payments to the other parent. Once you pay them, your responsibility is done. The agency will record the payment against your order, so the other parent can’t claim you didn’t pay.
If you owe back child support when the child turns 18, the custodial parent can keep collecting until it’s paid off, regardless of the child’s age now. You really need a lawyer to help with these account issues. If you haven’t paid, the money is still due.
@Sawyer
Right, it depends on whether she’s referring to back payments or ongoing support.
Get yourself a lawyer. I used to work in social services, and you’re in for a tough battle. I can share the challenges you might face, but you really need a good lawyer if you can afford one.
You should share this on r/cults.
Definitely get a lawyer.