Owed $15,000.00 in back Child Support, will never see it

[tamfran]

My oldest daughter is now 26years old, her fathers child support was set a 15.00 a month. I only saw maybe $1000.00 throughout all these years. He begged me to have a child (which I wouldnt trade her for the world), then he decided to become a habitual offender and spent the first few years of her life in prison. I decided to leave him cause thats the the life for a child. How can I collect this money all at once preferrably. Any ideas?

[MMonk]

First off if she is 26 now...and you never tried before, chances are you aren't going to see it. No offense but even if you were lucky enough to see a court order for back child support you would never see it in a lump sum.

[tamfran]

Just to let You know, I have been trying all these years. Why do you think there was a court order

[Choosey1]

I think that you can probably forget about that $15,000 and thank God for letting you be able to let him(your daughter's father) go and be able to move on with your life. 

[BabyGurlAron06]

Have you ever talked to a lawyer??? With her being over the age of 18 or should I say 21 I believe it is very hard for you to get it. If I was you I would talk to her about it and also talk to a lawyer or several lawyers for that matter to figure out what can be done. I do believe you and her both need and deserve the money. But is it really worth it now??? It probably is so your best bet probably is to do whatever you heart says and take it over with your daughter. Who do you seriously thinks deserves the money you or your daughter??? I know it could have helped out a lot over the years. And she could have used the money for college, her first car and etc. But talk with her about it. I don't think you wanna regrat not talking to her about it. Or worst of all not get what you both deserve. If it was me. I would look into seeing what I can do. And trust me if I could get it than I would fight for it. Because college is not cheap and trust me just because there are scholarships, grants and loans out there does not mean everyone and just anyone can get them.

So just follow your heart and if it says to get it 1st talk to her about it and then go from there. And don't get and do it for the greedyness of your heart.

[mlbevins]

The only way that I see you getting it is if you get the court order and your best chances of getting anything will be his tax refunds, if he works.  Even if you get it don't you think that money should go to you daugther.  That is what the money should have been for to begin with.  My step dad is going throug the same thing right now with child, but he is the one that owes.  It's sad though because he had the childern for the time that he owes but he did not technically have custody of them through the court system, so now he owes.

[AmyTrivitt]

I don't know what the state laws are where you live. But if your child is in his/her twenties your a bit to late. The laws here were I live is the absent parent must pay UNTIL the child turns 18, gets adopted by a step parent or emancipated. The best advice I can give is to do some research at your local court house or call an attorny.

[jnthnmclry]

dang... i know he's a dead-beat for not helping out... but isn't it a bit late to try now?  just move on and be happy you did it all on your own.

[kelann1027]

u cant..they will only set up a payment plan that could take a life time..my son is 12 and i only saw $200..makes me lol..