Child Support Forum Highlights and Information

Commonly Asked Child Support Questions and Answers

The following questions were submitted by attendees at the Clerk's Child Support Forum on Wednesday, July 14, 2010. We are working on the responses and will post them as soon as possible. Please check back soon for the responses.

1. Why can’t we have our case “not delayed” or “rushed” if a child is disabled or terminally ill? 18 years is a long time not to pay!

2. Why do “drop in the bucket” payments make the “clock” start over?

3. Why can’t the DOR skip the revocation of driver’s license if the non supporting parent has DUIs already?

4. Why can’t “medical” be enforced?

5. Court ordered to cease child support for traveling between states. She has filed child support now in another state! Is this fraud?

6. What do I need to do? I am court ordered to pay child support but my husband refuses it saying he doesn’t want it?

7. What happens when a parent only pays his child support when he is content which takes a few years to go to court? Then when you go to court you only get ¼ back of your child support. Also he does not pay the purge that was ordered. What can be done please?

8. I filed a financial affidavit and answer to petition and counter petition but forgot to provide a copy to enforcement agency so it was thrown out. Can I file another or somehow go back to court to lower my payments?

9. A NCP signed to not give up her children. The court said if she did this she wouldn’t have anymore responsibility for the children. My daughter is the great aunt’s the permanent caregiver to these children. My daughter has a letter from F.D.R. stating that the NCP is no longer responsible to pay child support payment. The NCP is on SS disability payments. How can we stop the letters stating that payments are incrementing?

10. If I am owed $30,000.00 in back support and my child now lives with the payor. Can they get support from me until my child is 18?

11. My son’s father lives out of state and although I’ve been awarded support I have yet to receive it. How can I get this process to move along quicker? (He is working.)

12. My ex refuses to pay for half of the children’s dental bills, clothing, and school supplies. Is there a way to get reimbursement after the fact? (I already paid the total.)

13. What happens if the respondent is undocumented and does not have SS#?

14. Why doesn’t the system care for the non custodial parent, someone who is trying but can’t keep up?

15. I was unemployed and payment was being taken out! Since unemployment ran out, still trying for full time job but license is suspended and can’t get a better job.

16. Can’t get personal information from ex concerning kids. What can I do so I can finish modification work?

17. There is interest amount on my child support amount. Why? I never knew of a lien on person. Never received notice. I was incarcerated.

18. Been charged with contempt already and can’t afford the support now and judge raised it even more. Is this allowed?

19. Is there a way to find out other cases in Florida on an individual? Not just for one county.

20. I am a father being orderd support. The current monthly is correct. However they are ordering arrears for the past 2 years based on the mothers present income.

21. NCS lives in LA which is part of a multi state info sharing system. FL is not part of this system and has been trying to locate NCS for 2 plus years. Why don’t all 50 states share employer information?

22. What are my rights when my ex-spouse chooses to work for less than he was making and because of this cannot afford to pay the full child support payment?

23. Why does it take 18 years to get a contempt order for past due support of $93,000?

24. How do you notify the payor if the child will be nineteen before he graduates to continue child support?

25. How long does a mother have to be late on child support to get in trouble?

26. What happens if the petitioner is undocumented?

27. How can I prove he is working off the books? He has income deduction order. Child support computed at time of divorce – final order in NJ.

28. What kind of petition should be filed to get a tax break for child support and fathers who pay on time?

29. My child support has been reduced and I was not notified.

30. How do I correct a judgment lien?

31. My 18 year old has finished high school. My divorce decree states when child reaches age of majority the child support ends. But the clerk is telling me that’s not what my order says.

32. If the ex spouse were to have contacted DOR or the Clerk’s Office to change (lower) the amount of child support, would I be notified?

33. My children have been blind folded and driven across town by their dad. Can I take legal action? What is the statue of limitations on this?

34. Mother “signed off” on all back support owed if father would do home repairs for her. Repairs never done. Mother was on prescription drugs for anxiety when she signed. What can be done?

35. Is more going to be done to enforce support when the non-custodial parent is taking jobs that do not report income and is more enforcement going to take place on severely delinquent parent?

36. What can happen if a minor doesn’t pay child support, can they keep their drivers license?

37. At what amount does the arrearage need to be for enforcement to take place?

38. Can the parent making below poverty level income be ordered to pay child support w/o 40/60 time sharing plan?

39. How does Florida enforce child support in other states like Georgia?

40. How will I know when my child support stops? My child will be 18 yrs old prior to high school. Do I have to file paper work to keep child support until graduation from high school?

41. How is child support calculated and what is taken into consideration (example: mortgage payment, child care costs, etc.)?

42. Why do the non supporting parents get so many chances? I’m owed $93,000.

43. Why are all the phone lines always busy or a long wait time?

44. How do they come up with child support guidelines for minors having children?

45. Can you receive child support until 19 if the minor is still in high school?

46. Why does it take more than 30 days to verify an address?

47. If it takes less manpower to process through the FL Disbursement Unit, why is the fee so high and who gets the money?

48. My case is with the Clerk. I have not received a payment since 03/09. I filled out the form 3 months ago to suspend his license. Nothing has been done. How long does this take and why has the agency done nothing at all to enforce payment?

49. I am a father. I would like to know what can I do to fight against child support? I do what I can to give my child whatever he needs. I don’t need to be on child support.

50. There is a warrant for respondent for over a year. He lives in Tampa. How can I get support for children? Trying since 1993 to get support for children. I will do anything. He owes over $14,000.00

51. What do you do when child support has made a twenty year old mistake? Also, how is child support paid if your child receives SSI?

52. Can I take my ex to court without having an attorney? How is this done?

53. If child has turned 18 can back support be collected?

54. Why can’t they go after trusts?

55. If I have a scheduled court date, can I add additional items to the topics set to be discussed?

56. What can be done if father is self employed and grossly understates his income?

57. My ex is 6 months behind in child support because he was fired and she will be held in contempt for a 2nd time. What actions can or could be taken for being held in contempt a 2nd time?

58. My ex is out of state. CSE is having trouble serving him/says he’ll pay as soon as he is served.

59. If a minor is having a baby and its father is a 16 year old minor, who pay’s child support? The boy’s parents? When does it start?

60. If custodial parent lives with her parents and they are financial providers for the children, why do I pay her support? Also, can you tell step by step how to file for modification? We filed twice and seem to do it wrong. I am paying based on income I haven’t made in over a year.

61. How is my ex wife able to get HUD housing and pay $4.00 a month in rent and receive food stamps yet I (the custodial parent) am unable to receive child support or assistance?

62. We need to change laws or penalize non supporting parents for hiding assets. It’s not fair.