Q: If my daughter's mother files for child support, and my daughter is now 17, will I owe her any money?
I live in FL, my daughter and her mother live in NY. She is the custodial parent, we were never married. We have no court ordered child support in place, but I have contributed to my child's living expenses when I am able to do so. My daughter is now 17. If her mother takes me to court for child support now, will I owe her anything from the last 17 years, or does the child support begin once papers have been filed in the court? Note, I am not on her birth certificate. Paternity would need to be established first.
A: First, because your child lives in NY she would have to file in NY. The law in FL is that the farthest that you can go back in time is two years for child support. You should ask this question of a NY lawyer if you are concerned.
A:
Child support must be established where the Payor lives, so child support has to be filed by the Mom where you live, here in Florida, as New York does not have personal jurisdiction over you. The law in Florida is 2 years prior to filing the petition or request. She would have to file before the child turns 18 or the court loses jurisdiction to order retroactive support.
Good luck.
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