Do I owe child support if I don't even know who to pay?
October 25, 2006 3:43 PM
AmericanFamilyLawFilter: If you haven't heard anything from social services, do you still owe child support?
Long story short, an ex-girlfriend got pregnant, baby turned out to be mine. She received support from social services, so I was told I was going to need to pay child support. She gave the child up for adoption. It's been over a year now, and I still haven't gotten a bill for support from social services. What do I do now?
The baby was born January 2005, and finally adopted May 2006. Neither I nor the mother contested the adoption. She was in Vermont; I'm in Virginia.
At the very beginning I was sent a letter telling me that I was going to owe child support, and I was asked to my local office to get swabbed for the paternity test. That's the only notice I've received. I'm worried that I'll somehow owe interest on the amount I was supposed to pay (whatever it is), or might get in trouble with the government somehow.
Anyone had similar experiences?
Long story short, an ex-girlfriend got pregnant, baby turned out to be mine. She received support from social services, so I was told I was going to need to pay child support. She gave the child up for adoption. It's been over a year now, and I still haven't gotten a bill for support from social services. What do I do now?
The baby was born January 2005, and finally adopted May 2006. Neither I nor the mother contested the adoption. She was in Vermont; I'm in Virginia.
At the very beginning I was sent a letter telling me that I was going to owe child support, and I was asked to my local office to get swabbed for the paternity test. That's the only notice I've received. I'm worried that I'll somehow owe interest on the amount I was supposed to pay (whatever it is), or might get in trouble with the government somehow.
Anyone had similar experiences?
Yes. My ex-husband.
You are responsible for -- wait for it -- the entire cost of the aid your babymama received while on welfare. (Yes, it isn't fair.) Until you pay it, it accumulates interest. Should they find you, they can garnish your wages, take your tax refund, even, in California, your driver's license.
You want to call the district attorney of the state where she received aid and tell your story -- as a hypothetical -- to confirm all this. Maybe you somehow fell through the cracks, but I wouldn't count on it -- the wheels of government grind slowly but they grind exceeding fine.
posted by Methylviolet at 4:02 PM on October 25, 2006
You are responsible for -- wait for it -- the entire cost of the aid your babymama received while on welfare. (Yes, it isn't fair.) Until you pay it, it accumulates interest. Should they find you, they can garnish your wages, take your tax refund, even, in California, your driver's license.
You want to call the district attorney of the state where she received aid and tell your story -- as a hypothetical -- to confirm all this. Maybe you somehow fell through the cracks, but I wouldn't count on it -- the wheels of government grind slowly but they grind exceeding fine.
posted by Methylviolet at 4:02 PM on October 25, 2006
You definitely need to contact them. If you owe nothing, it's not like they'll decide to charge you just for calling.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 4:31 PM on October 25, 2006
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 4:31 PM on October 25, 2006
Family law is governed almost exclusively from the state level, so make sure your double check any information you get here with the reality in Vermont. If the anon's ladyfriend received public assistance, methyl might be right, especially if she would not have been eligible for the aid if he was a member of the household. If anon's income would not have been enough to make momma ineligible for the assistance, I'd bet he's in the clear.
Who was caring for the baby from birth to adoption? That's going to matter too.
You're gonna have to call and ask, anon. Make sure they have your contact information.
posted by jaysus chris at 4:35 PM on October 25, 2006
Who was caring for the baby from birth to adoption? That's going to matter too.
You're gonna have to call and ask, anon. Make sure they have your contact information.
posted by jaysus chris at 4:35 PM on October 25, 2006
I suggest you follow up. (IANAL)
On a practical note, better to pay whatever the bill is now than wait for them to find you and assess interest and penalties. It also can screw your credit score sometimes.
On a personal/moral note, I think you'll feel better once you've faced this and there's no potential ghost following you.
posted by Sprout the Vulgarian at 8:51 AM on October 26, 2006
On a practical note, better to pay whatever the bill is now than wait for them to find you and assess interest and penalties. It also can screw your credit score sometimes.
On a personal/moral note, I think you'll feel better once you've faced this and there's no potential ghost following you.
posted by Sprout the Vulgarian at 8:51 AM on October 26, 2006
You don't need to call Social Services - you need to call the local 'Child Support Enforcement Agency' (local to where the baby was cared for). And you should have been notified of a hearing regarding the determination and judgement for the support amount. Did you move and leave no forwarding address?
posted by LadyBonita at 1:08 PM on October 26, 2006
posted by LadyBonita at 1:08 PM on October 26, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Sassyfras at 3:55 PM on October 25, 2006