Who can I turn to?

by Denise
(Albuquerque, NM )

My husband had two kids with a woman but was never married to her. She lives in Indiana, We live in another state. When the mother found out we were planning on getting married she filed for child support. As one of the biggest coincidences ever, she claimed to have gotten married two days before my husband and I did. When they determined how much my husband was to pay, they also determined he owed about $19K in back child support. We still always send birthday and Christmas Gifts. The mother has changed her number and does not call or let the kids call. He hasn't been able to speak to his kids in over a year now. After child support we are lucky if he brings home $700 a month which is EXTREMELY hard on us. Last year we filed a joint return on our taxes. We recently found out the government would not be issuing my husband NOR I any stimulus checks/refunds because of the back pay. Originally the child support division told my husband they could not touch any of my money. Does anyone know, if we file a separate return this coming year will they take both our refunds or just his? Will they continue to take my stimulus checks? The mother refused to work. She has been on welfare since the kids were born. It makes me mad because my husband and I work very hard and he doesn't even get to hear from his kids. They even call the new guy dad which crushes my husband.