Justice System Screws Good Fathers

by Lee
(Houston, TX USA)

I have a 27 yr old daughter that I've never been able to have a relationship with because her mother has moved constantly, all over the USA her whole life. We divorced when my child was 18 months old. For several years I paid CS like I was suppose to. After going back to court many, many times and my ex being told to 'settle down' so my child and I could have a relationship, out of discouragement and frustration, I gave up. I then decided that if the ex wouldn't allow me to see my child, then I wouldn't pay child support. Then, when my child was 13 yrs old, I was ordered to pay child support as well as arrearage for backpay owed. Fine, I've done this, and now my child is 27 yrs old.

I was given the option at the time of paying a lump sum of $50k but did not have that kind of money, so had to have payments set up. Well, unknown to me I didn't have a very saavy atty who looked out for my interests, and my ex's atty put in the orders an outrageous percentage of interst. I've paid faithfully and not missed a payment since she was 13 yrs old, and now she's 27. According to my calculations, I thought I should be close to being finished paying....NOT. I went to the Harris Co. Relations dept that can start/stop payments, and was told by them that they had never seen a case like mine, so severe, that I would never ever in my lifetime pay this balance. Because of the severity of my case, that Dept. had other attorney's, judges, and accountants review my case as well.

I have way way overpaid already what would be considered a normal to high amt of money in cs; yet everymonth I pay $400 and there is $400 in interest that accrues monthly. I'll never be able to pay this off. Ever. I'm 46 now and my wife is disabled.

I fought all my child's life in court trying to see my child and have the court make my ex allow me to see her and stop moving around so much..to no avail.

The Harris Co. Relations Dept agreed with all those they consulted with, as well as the AG's office and issued a stop order for the child support. However, they did tell me that if my ex was aware of the verbage and high percent of interest, that it was probably that she would hire an atty and again have the child support order reinstated...which is what is happening now. They said the best I could hope for was to get the percentage dropped to a normal or lower amount, around 6% which is standard now...but it wouldn't be retroactive and reduce the amount owed on the high interest...and still, I'll never be able to pay this amount off, even if I live to be over 100.

I've never been more discouraged and frustrated. Ever. I was a 19 yr old kid when my daughter was born, and I've spent a fortune in atty fees going to court to try to have my visitation enforced. It's shocking to me how mean and vindictive ex's can be, and how the courts do not support the dads. I know there are lots of deadbeats out there, but we're all not that way. Some of us are good fathers that the justice system is unfairly stacked against us.

I'm trying to find some law, or a case that would set precedence to try to stop this injustice. If anyone knows of anyone who could be of help, I would appreciate it so much.
Lee