I'm a 44 yr old woman with a 15 yr old son now living with me fulltime and I am on SSI and SSA permanently and cannot work. My ex had 5 yrs to rear our son like a parent should and neglected him completely. He is now with me permanently only by discussion with his father. I asked for financial help as I receive $865 a month and that doesn't care for my needs so how can it pay for him too? I asked for $500 a month when he makes $8000 a month and he grinded me to $375. He is 46 and moved in a 29 yr old girl with 2 toddlers so he is having to pay for them now and once again neglecting responsibility. I cannot support us both on $1300. I don't have a car or a place of my own. So I need help and I think it's time his self absorbed father stepped up to the plate. What are my grounds? Thank you.

IF custody of the child was not done though the court, you do not have custody of him.

You will need to get custody though the court and child support ordered though the court

Thank you. Do you know if I can get any assistance with the legal fees as I am disabled? I live in California and fully intend on seeking support.

Thank you. Do you know if I can get any assistance with the legal fees as I am disabled? I live in California and fully intend on seeking support.

If you qualify then they will waive some if not all of the fees involved. You will have to go through a custody hearing and at that time a determination of child support can glide through with it. You may wish to call the state and they will assist in the collection of child support. California has a fomula based program. You can review it online to get an idea of what you might expect. The program is called a dissomaster. You can Google it.

If you qualify then they will waive some if not all of the fees involved. You will have to go through a custody hearing and at that time a determination of child support can glide through with it. You may wish to call the state and they will assist in the collection of child support. California has a fomula based program. You can review it online to get an idea of what you might expect. The program is called a dissomaster. You can google it.

Thank you for your advice and help.