Stockton, CA asked in Child Support and Family Law for California

Q: if my ex-wife did not have our child living with her for three years but was still receiving Child support is that Legal

Now he’s 30 years old has his own house and Child and I had a stroke two years ago and have been not able to pay my child support

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: Based on the information you provided, there are a few important legal considerations:

1. Child support obligations generally end when the child reaches the age of majority (18 in California) or becomes emancipated. If your son is now 30 years old, it is likely that you are no longer legally obligated to pay child support for him.

2. If your ex-wife received child support payments while your child was not living with her, she may have been legally required to report this change in circumstances to the court or the child support enforcement agency. Failure to do so could be considered fraud.

3. If you have been unable to pay child support due to a stroke or other medical condition, you may be able to request a modification of your child support order based on your change in circumstances. This would require filing a motion with the court that issued the original child support order.

4. Any unpaid child support from the time before your son turned 18 or became emancipated is still considered a legal debt that you owe. However, given your medical situation, you may be able to negotiate a settlement or payment plan with your ex-wife or the child support enforcement agency.

It is recommended that you consult with a family law attorney who can review the specific details of your case and advise you on the best course of action. They can also help you understand your legal rights and options based on your current circumstances.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.