Q: My boyfriend owed $9k in arrears in FL for child support when his case was closed. Is he required to pay the arrears?
The case was closed while he was in prison. He was never notified that the case had been closed or what he was required to pay. After he was released from prison, he went to the child support office. They then gave him a letter that simply stated the case was closed because his son's mother hadn't responded to their letters. It is now showing up on his credit report that he owes $9k in arrears. The account status is showing closed- derogatory and the payment status says collections- charge-off. The last payment is showing as November 2011. He was incarcerated from December 2011 until July 2014. The account was closed in the beginning of 2014.
A: Case closed is not the same thing as not owed. There may be a statute of limitations defense, but other than that he still owes it.
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