This is kind of a long story. But basically my parents divorced when I was 4, I am now 22. They both were marines. My mother left the service after the divorce and my siblings and lived with her during this time. My father continued serving, and now works for the U.S government. Here's my question: my father stopped paying child support when I was 8 and Alimony . This was during a difficult time , my mother became an addict and an alcoholic.She also neglected us. We were living in the poverty. My siblings and I were sent to live with different family members in LA and I eventually moved out when I was 16. I have supported myself since then. Could I , or my siblings,sue him him for neglect and for the child support he did not pay ? I live in the state of California , and I am aware that typically my mother could pursue this case on her own. But given the fact that my father stopped paying child support and my mother was an addict and alcoholic and stopped taking care of us, I can't help but wonder if there is anything I could do. He really deserves it. He has remarried four times, has seven kids around the world. He was abusive and neglectful. He will not come to terms with being my father.

No, you have no claim, your mother can still go back for back support ( but there is a SOL for that depending on the state)

You can not force him to be a father

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Originally Posted by Fburgess

This is kind of a long story. But basically my parents divorced when I was 4, I am now 22. They both were marines. My mother left the service after the divorce and my siblings and lived with her during this time. My father continued serving, and now works for the U.S government. Here's my question: my father stopped paying child support when I was 8 and Alimony . This was during a difficult time , my mother became an addict and an alcoholic.She also neglected us. We were living in the poverty. My siblings and I were sent to live with different family members in LA and I eventually moved out when I was 16. I have supported myself since then. Could I , or my siblings,sue him him for neglect and for the child support he did not pay ? I live in the state of California , and I am aware that typically my mother could pursue this case on her own. But given the fact that my father stopped paying child support and my mother was an addict and alcoholic and stopped taking care of us, I can't help but wonder if there is anything I could do. He really deserves it. He has remarried four times, has seven kids around the world. He was abusive and neglectful. He will not come to terms with being my father.

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This is a general outline of the statute of limitations for California. They don't specifically outline neglect; however, you have been a legal adult for 4 years now. Additionally, you would have to prove some type of monetary loss that resulted from your parents neglecting you - can you do that?

Also, you have no claim on child support. Support is paid to the custodial parent to offset the expenses of raising the child(ren).

You say he stopped paying when you were 8 years old - was the support court ordered or was it something your parents simply agreed upon? If it was court ordered, your father will still have to pay your mother - regardless of if you are an adult or not.