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3 Answers | Asked in Child Support, Appeals / Appellate Law, Civil Rights and Family Law for New York on
Q: Seeking representation for child support arrears and court judgment issues in NY.

I'm facing a child support issue where my parental rights haven't been surrendered, yet I'm judged to owe over $3,500 in arrears, despite the other parent owing me over $70,000. The court magistrate refused to review my financial statements and made allegations without proper... View More

Charles Holster
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answered on Mar 25, 2025

You may be able to qualify for a court-appointed attorney based upon your financial circumstances. You would have had to tell the magistrate before the hearing. It sounds like it is too late for you to do that now. Also, if the judgment was granted against you in 2023, it s too late to appeal it... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Child Support and Family Law for Texas on
Q: Do I have at least 20-40 percent rights on the house if I divorce

Hi, I have been with my partner now for 17yrs but married for almost nine years. Living together for a total of 15 years. My husband surprised my children and I and bought us a house1 year before we wed. His name is the only name on the deed but I’ve bought all appliances and the entire home... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 25, 2025

If you can prove that you were married pursuant to common law at the time the home was purchased, the home is community property and subject to a just and right division upon divorce.

Otherwise, if the home was purchased by him before you were married, it is his separate property....
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Arizona on
Q: Can child support payments be increased due to a one-time bonus in Arizona?

I am the custodial parent seeking a court-ordered modification to increase child support payments. The non-custodial parent received a significant one-time bonus from a lucrative construction development project about eight months ago. Our existing child support agreement was established through a... View More

Rich J. Peters
Rich J. Peters
answered on Mar 24, 2025

You have described several reasons that you may be entitled to a child support modification, which are not related to his one time bonus.

Under Arizona law, seasonal or fluctuating income within a year are annualized to determine the average monthly Child Support Income. If this is truly...
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2 Answers | Asked in Child Support for Texas on
Q: How to stop child support deductions for adult children in Texas?

I'm currently paying child support for children who have been adults for over four years. Despite this, money is still being deducted from my paycheck weekly. I have received some correspondence from the child support office but no explanation as to why these payments continue. How can I get... View More

Raymond Chow
Raymond Chow
answered on Mar 21, 2025

1. Fill out the required Income Withholding for Support Order (IWO) form.

2. Print the IWO form.

3. If possible, hire an attorney to review your completed IWO form.

4. Take the completed IWO form to the Judge who signed, or will sign, your order for child support, cash...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Child Custody and Family Law for Texas on
Q: Default child support order and paternity uncertainty in Texas.

I was put on child support by default without being informed about any court proceedings, and I'm unsure if the child is biologically mine. How can I address this situation, contest the child support order, and request a paternity test?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 20, 2025

You need to challenge the court order entered without notice to you. The best method for such a challenge depends upon the procedural facts of your case. You need to consult an attorney experienced in both family law and appellate law as soon as possible because all of your available remedies... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: How can I establish visitation rights to see my children despite my ex preventing access?

I have been paying child support, but my ex has continuously prevented me from seeing my children since 2016. There is no formal custody or visitation order in place, although I have raised this issue during child support hearings and was advised to seek a pro bono family law lawyer. Despite... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Mar 20, 2025

You need to file something with the Court asking the Court to set periods of visitation so that your vistiation rights become an order of the Court. If yoou are unable to hire an attorney, then contact the local bar association and see if they have a pro bono program, or if they can provide you... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Child Support for Tennessee on
Q: Uncontested divorce with child support agreement and no 401(k) division in Tennessee.

I am going through an uncontested divorce after 7 years of marriage. We have two young children and have already put a child support agreement in place. We are not seeking to divide either party's 401(k). What should we be aware of in the divorce process given these circumstances?

Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
Mr. Kent Thomas Jones
answered on Mar 20, 2025

Typically the courts in the State of Tennessee will sign off on a property division agreement. It should be in a Marital Dissolution Agreement that is signed by each party before a notary. A child support agreement will be more heavily scrutinized. You need to download a Tennessee child support... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for California on
Q: Process for determining ex-spouse's self-employment income for spousal support.

What is the name of the process to determine how much my ex-spouse is earning as a self-employed handyman? Spousal support was granted in October 2024 based on him earning minimum wage. How can I establish his actual earnings?

Tobie B. Waxman
Tobie B. Waxman
answered on Mar 19, 2025

The court will rely on his tax returns unless you can prove the returns are not credible. This can be accomplished by subpoenaing his bank records and hiring a forensic accountant to analyze the ins and outs of funds and sources of funds.

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for California on
Q: Can I request a default judgment in parentage case if respondent hasn't responded?

I had a court date on March 11, 2025, regarding a parentage case. The respondent filed a request to quash the case, citing my relocation to a new county, but the judge ruled against quashing. During that session, the judge also confirmed paternity, and the respondent signed a paper acknowledging he... View More

Tobie B. Waxman
Tobie B. Waxman
answered on Mar 18, 2025

Default occurs when the Respondent does not file a response to the petition for parentage (aka paternity; aka Petition to Establish Parental Relationship). The responding party is not necessarily in default because they do not file a response to other types of filings such as a Request for Order.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Support and Civil Litigation for California on
Q: Why are my investment property expenses excluded from child support? How to argue for inclusion?

I had a child support hearing where the judge refused to include certain expenses related to my investment property in the support calculation. These expenses include a maintenance percentage, a vacancy percentage, costs for adding heating and air conditioning, and the HELOC debt on the property.... View More

Tobie B. Waxman
Tobie B. Waxman
answered on Mar 18, 2025

Child support is calculated using the parties' INCOME. If the investment property you are talking about is an income producing property and that income is impacted by the expenses of maintaining that property, that will be reflected in your tax return used as evidence of your income.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Child Support and Tax Law for Florida on
Q: Can I refuse to sign Form 8332 and claim both kids as custodial parent?

I am in Florida and got divorced in 2019. My ex-husband and I have two children, and I have them 80% of the time since he lives in a different city from where they attend school. Our divorce agreement allows him to claim one child on his taxes. He recently hired a CPA who requires me to sign Form... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Mar 18, 2025

If your agreement says that he can claim one child then you should just sign the form. You will lose this issue in court. You will create even more trouble if you claim both children on your taxes. If you want to change things based on new circumstances then you must return to court on a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Civil Litigation for Texas on
Q: Can I file a lawsuit against the Texas AG's office for incorrect child support claims?

I have been overpaying child support for my son for five years based on an agreement with my ex, without court involvement. Recently, I agreed to go through the Texas AG’s office for child support payments. Despite both my ex and I repeatedly informing them that I'm paid ahead, they continue... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 18, 2025

You can’t sue the AG for the impact on your life and career. But you can file a motion to clarify and enforce in the court that issued the child support order to clarify that you owe no arrearage and are, in fact, paid ahead.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Child Support for Kentucky on
Q: How should we structure the agreement to ensure the child support is legally valid?

My spouse and I are currently separated, and we are in the process of filing for divorce in Kentucky. We have a child custody order from a Virginia court, but we do not want to include child support in the Kentucky divorce filing. Both of us is currently looking for jobs but not working , and we... View More

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Mar 16, 2025

You would use language confirming that both of you have made full disclosure of all income and asset and that you have consulted the Kentucky Child Support Guidelines. You would also say that based on the agreement of the parties, neither party shall pay child support at this time and that the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Criminal Law and Civil Litigation for New York on
Q: Can criminal charges arise from receiving child support after losing custody in NY?

In one county, a woman lost custody and parental rights to her child, who was then moved to another county. Despite this, she continued to receive child support from the father in the first county, as the court was unaware of the custody change. The child support order continued for over 17 years,... View More

Howard E. Knispel
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Howard E. Knispel
answered on Mar 16, 2025

A person can not go to jail simply for receiving child support under a valid child support order. However if the person lied under oath in court about where the child lives, whether the child was emancipated or if service of process was validly effectual, those are criminal perjury.

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Gov & Administrative Law for North Carolina on
Q: Should I file a motion to dismiss child support arrears leading to jail threat in NC?

I am an environmental officer in Columbia, SC, and have been on child support for my son, who is now 19. During the time when I missed payments, I underwent three knee surgeries and applied for disability, which affected my ability to pay. My doctor sent medical documentation to the DSS, yet the... View More

Ethan A. Trice
Ethan A. Trice
answered on Mar 11, 2025

Unfortunately, you cannot generally modify an arrears amount. If the party that is owed it still wants it, you can't modify. Each county is different, but I'm surprised they're actively threatening jail if you are making payments. If there is a threat of contempt of court, then you... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Constitutional Law, Child Support and Traffic Tickets for Tennessee on
Q: Is driver's license suspension for unpaid child support legal in Tennessee?

I am facing a situation in Tennessee where my driver's license has been suspended due to unpaid child support. Despite my financial hardship and lack of legal representation, the child support organization refuses to reinstate my driving privileges. I believe this action infringes on my rights... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 10, 2025

TNDL suspension is a statutory sanction for non payment of CS. Driving is not a right but a privilege. If you have a job and owe alot of CS, you might talk to a CH 13 Bankruptcy attorney. I have seen this cure the problem in 5 years while the the DL is conditionally reinstated.

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Arbitration / Mediation Law for California on
Q: Is mediation mandatory for my child support and custody case with no current court dates?

I am involved in a child support and custody case. The other party has not followed prior court orders and has failed to serve me. There are currently no court dates scheduled, and I would like to know if mediation is mandatory in this situation, or if I can move directly to seeking legal... View More

Tobie B. Waxman
Tobie B. Waxman
answered on Mar 10, 2025

mandatory mediation is scheduled once a party files a Request for Order for custody/visitation. If no such motion has been filed, no hearings are pending, and you have not been sent an order from the court regarding mediation, then you are not required to go to mediation or set one up.

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Tax Law for North Carolina on
Q: Why is my tax refund on hold for child support?

I have been receiving deductions from my paycheck every two weeks since October to pay for back due child support. Despite this, the Child Support Enforcement sent me a letter requesting the first two pages of my tax return and my ID so my tax refund can be released. There weren't any issues... View More

Stephen Edward Robertson
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Stephen Edward Robertson
answered on Mar 10, 2025

Both federal and state law include mechanisms for enforcing child support by tax intercept for collection of past due child support. The North Carolina Supreme Court has determined that if an obligor is currently paying the monthly amount required by the child support order and is current with a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Child Support and Family Law for Louisiana on
Q: Can my ex-wife request child support after initially declining it?

I divorced my ex-wife in September 2024. During the child support hearing in August 2024, she told the court she didn't want child support, and later declined my offer, saying it wasn’t enough. She informed me she filed for child support in January 2025, even though I haven't received... View More

Randy Bryan Ligh
Randy Bryan Ligh
answered on Mar 10, 2025

Yes, she can but she can only receive child support from the date of (new) filing. Also, the reason(s) she declined child support before may be relevant to the child support amount moving forward----my recommendation is that you at least have a sit down consult with a lawyer in your area to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Workers' Compensation for Indiana on
Q: Why contempt court for unreported child support instead of garnishing benefits?

I reported the non-custodial parent is receiving workers' compensation benefits from the U.S. Department of Labor, which he hasn't reported. This was reported three months ago. The last two hearings resulted in either an increased obligation for the non-custodial parent or keeping the... View More

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Mar 9, 2025

When any Court issues a child support Order, it is ordinarily forwarded to the employer of the party responsible for payment. The funds are then deducted from that person's paycheck. If the employee is injured and eligible for Workers' Compensation benefits, the employer is obligated to... View More

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