Deadbeat fathers have learned how to beat the system. They know they can go 3 months without making a payment before the attorney general will take any action. They also know that a payment is considered a payment no matter the amount. They know that even if they go to jail, they jails are so overcrowded they will more than likely be released early. They know that they are really the ones in control. My son's father was ordered to pay child support 6 years ago. He was making $10 payments every 3 months and the attorney general would hear our case in court because he was technically "making payments". I had to file a formal complaint with the ombudsman department at my local child support office. Finally we started going to court & it's been a unproductive cycle ever since. We go to court, he shows up with NO money, says he doesnt have a job, the judge gives him 30 days to find a job, and resets the court day. 30 days later he shows up again with NO money, the judge orders him to 180 days in jail, they haul him off, and he's released in 45 days due to the overcrowded jails in san antonio. He gets out and the cycle begins again. In August 08, instead of putting him in jail, the judge put him on '60 month unsupervised probation'. Not only have I not seen a payment but now I have to beg to attorney general to hear our case within that 60 months. I leftour last court hearing crying in frustration...he left smiling.
Comments for
It's too easy for deadbeats to beat the system
The male poster is missing the boat here. Laws are laws and they are written for enforcement. If the law dictates that both parents are suppose to provide support (medical and financial) for a child, then the law must be followed. The law does not discriminate on race or gender. A woman can be held in contempt, as well, as a man for for failure to pay court-ordered child support. If a person breaks a law they must suffer the penalities. It's uncanny, how many men are in this compromising situation. Custodial parents did not write the laws. They only use these laws to assist with enforcement. Obviously, there is a history of abandonment and the government had to write laws to circumvent these serious violations. Most parents are unaware that many states have criminal laws written in their statutes, as an alternative for enforcement. There are also federal child support laws parallel to the criminal laws. Using civil laws for enforcement are moot and are equitable to a traffic infraction. Custodial parents need to research the federal child support laws and determine if criminal non-support laws exist in their state of jurisdiction. The use of federal laws for abandonment and enforcement is the route to go if the case meets the criteria. There are certain thresholds that must be met, but if they are.... federal subpoena powers, indictments, warrants over state lines and so forth can be accomplished. Educate yourself. Advocate for yourself. Utilize the best laws for enforcement.
Mar 10, 2009 Rating
Wow, ignorance is bliss. by: Anonymous
I cant beleive that people are actually defending the deadbeat dads. Regardless of the non-custodial parent's situation, they should pay their child support! The custodial parent has the stress of providing day to day care for the child which extends beyond the financial needs. The NC parent gets off with just writing a check once a month, if even that. I have a child with a man that was well employed when I met him. He quit his job two days after we went to court and stated happily that he would rather rot in jail than give "that stupid kid" his money. It has been six and a half years and I have received $12 (which he asked for it back). He has never been to jail and he evades AG by working under false names and SSN's. What a great world we live in huh?
Jan 14, 2009 Rating
Clarification to previous post by: David
Sorry it took so long to get back and respond. First off, unless you make a $$$,$$$.00, then your salary is no where close to mine. I'm not a Deadbeat anymore than you claim to be free from welfare. The fact of the matter is that I now have to pay $1200.00 a month as of 1 Jan 09 for one kid. Minus federal and state taxes, that should give you a clue as to what I make. Anyhow, it's women like you who always complain that someone is cheating you out of something. I agree with the other post that says you have a free system to use on your behalf. How dare you complain about what you get for free. Tell me what agencies provide the same service for non-custodial parents! The fact is, the entire system is corrupt because everyone (including the AG) seems to think the non-custodial parent owes them something and they use child support to get it. Would you still be complaining if your loss was due to a tragic accident rather than a divorce? Who would you beg for money then? Not like the AG can help you out. I guess you would probably cuss the other parent while he's in his grave for not leaving you something. If you make the money you claim, then your actions are pure greed! When will you ever have enough? When will you ever step up to the plate and say "look what I can do by myself"? Probably not in your nature. Who knows, maybe you need child support to pay off that Master's Degree!
Dec 26, 2008 Rating
DEADBEAT dad is lucky by: Anonymous
Wow!!! He should be GLAD he doesn't live in Victoria, Tx!!! You could murder someone and get off easier than if you owe back child support!!!
Dec 03, 2008 Rating
Does anybody have a form?? by: DB
My ex constantly gets out of paying child support when he changes jobs. He hides it from me and the system. I finally figured out where he worked, so the employer has been taking it out of his paycheck and sending it to the AG but he owes 1400.00 in arrears. The Attorney General will not do anything about it since he is not 90 days past due. He also owes 500.00, that he is in contempt for, that he agreed to pay me directly instead of the other arrears of approx 3,300.00. I agreed like an idiot so that I could just move on and get the little bit of help due.
What forms can I fill out to file myself for both? At least a website to get this. I cannot afford an attorney at this point and the Attorney General will not do their job.
Thanks!
Nov 17, 2008 Rating
I know how you feel I am there by: Jevette Duncan
I understand your frustration. I am also going through this except he does have money and a job. He has his own company so they can't garnish wages. He goes 3 to 4 months then i get a payment. He is always behind,etc. We filed contempt and they are trying to get it into court. It sucks and yes he does it to upset me for having our son. He hates me for it. He has only seem him once and he likes it that way. I think the state needs to be strict with these bastards.
Oct 30, 2008 Rating
Are Ya Sure? by: Ian Kull
I can see how you would find my comments rude and I apologize. You are mistaken however. I am not a "dead beat dad." I also seriously doubt that you make more money than I do. Truth be told, I have been doing child support enforcement for almost 10 years now.
No, the enforcement system is not broken, you just must use it. You also must use every effort possible to find the part of the system that works for you.
I cannot help but notice that you wholly failed to answer the questions asked. This leaves people with no alternative but to assume that you would rather complain about the "broken system" than make complete use of it.
I wish you luck with that!
Oct 29, 2008 Rating
In response to the last 2 comments by: Anonymous
The last two comments are rude and attack my character. Judging by how offended those two people had gotten, they must be deadbeat dads. I'm not complaining, I'm simply giving an example of how frustrating and ineffecient the child support cycle can be. Truth be told, I probably make more that the two miserable, immiture people who left the nasty comments above. I work at a bank and I am currently pursuing my masters in education administration...I am FAR from a your typical "welfare" case. In fact, I've NEVER received any government assistance and I never will. I filed child support because I believe my child deserves EVERY advantage, not just what I can provide. The system is broken and needs to be fixed to work more efficiently and consistantly. We have to remember, child support is suppose to benefit the CHILD.
Oct 29, 2008 Rating
More Choices by: Anonymous
You could always hire a private attorney to pursue child support enforcement rather than complaining about an over-taxed system not working at the pace you desire.
Quite frankly I'm astonished that you would have to gall to right that post. You're complaining about a man that was at least paying you something, but not what you wanted, so you put him in jail (I feel compelled to point out that if the guy is in jail he can't even send you that $10 every now and again....how did that help you exactly??). You are complaining about making use of a free service and the service not working the way that you want it to.
If you truly want things done the way that you want them done, and on your time table, spend the money to have it done. Don't complain that things aren't going your way if you aren't going to do what it takes to make it so!
Oct 29, 2008 Rating
Choices by: David
Let me guess; this was a hard working man with a steady job when you met him right? Of course not. The truth of the matter was that both of you were irresponsible and brought kids in this world you can't afford to support. Unfortunately, cases like these end up at the welfare office and my tax dollars are used to support these children. the who purpose for establishing Child Support Enforcement agencies was to minimize the amount of people who seek welfare. My advice to you; Stop having kids, get a decent job, further your education and take care of those kids the best you can. Obviously, you can't squeeze blood out of a turnip and this "Dead Beat" father will continue to make it difficult for those of us who do the right thing
