My ex-husband and I divorced a few years ago. I was granted custody. I met a new man, got married, and moved (got a modification my ex signed so I could) with my kids to a new state. We presently live with his kids and mine. (A lot of kids!)

My problems are these...

1) My ex doesn't pay child support anymore. Stopped about 10 months or more ago. The states are "working" on this. Since they began "working on it" I got a packet saying he wants to lower that payment with a modification. Yeah. Whatever happened to jail time if they don't pay? Is there ANYTHING I can do about his lowering it or to enforce that he doesn't pay? Or that no one but I seems to care? Shouldn't the STATE care about MY KIDS needs more then HIS?? Do they not realize when one parent doesn't pay the OTHER has to compensate SOMEHOW? Well money doesn't grow on trees but I digress...

2) THE BIG ISSUE I need to hire an attorney for all the civil bills he was court ordered in the divorce to pay. 1/2 medical, child care, extracurricular activities, etc. Do I hire one in my NEW state or the OLD one where the divorce occurred? I get confused because the modification allowed us to leave. Personally, I would prefer where I live, that is convenient. Where do I go to hire an attorney?

3) If he isn't paying child support why am I required to PAY to bring them to all the visitations out of state? How would a judge respond if I chose to forgo these due to expenses? He's in contempt, would I be also? Does it matter truly since no one seems to care? Honestly, it's a long and EXPENSIVE drive. I have done it several times and he STILL isn't paying his child support. NOW he is going to lower it. Is there anything I can do?? :confused:

PLEASE HELP with ANY answers! THanks!! :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by LookingForAnswers777

My ex-husband and I divorced a few years ago. I was granted custody. I met a new man, got married, and moved (got a modification my ex signed so I could) with my kids to a new state. We presently live with his kids and mine. (A lot of kids!)

My problems are these...

1) My ex doesn't pay child support anymore. Stopped about 10 months or more ago. The states are "working" on this. Since they began "working on it" I got a packet saying he wants to lower that payment with a modification. Yeah. Whatever happened to jail time if they don't pay? Is there ANYTHING I can do about his lowering it or to enforce that he doesn't pay? Or that no one but I seems to care? Shouldn't the STATE care about MY KIDS needs more then HIS??? Do they not realize when one parent doesn't pay the OTHER has to compensate SOMEHOW? Well money doesn't grow on trees but I digress...

2) THE BIG ISSUE I need to hire an attorney for all the civil bills he was court ordered in the divorce to pay. 1/2 medical, child care, extracurricular activities, etc. Do I hire one in my NEW state or the OLD one where the divorce occurred? I get confused because the modification allowed us to leave. Personally, I would prefer where I live, that is convenient. Where do I go to hire an attorney?

3) If he isn't paying child support why am I required to PAY to bring them to all the visitations out of state? How would a judge respond if I chose to forgo these due to expenses? He's in contempt, would I be also? Does it matter truly since no one seems to care? Honestly, it's a long and EXPENSIVE drive. I have done it several times and he STILL isn't paying his child support. NOW he is going to lower it. Is there anything I can do????:confused:

PLEASE HELP with ANY answers! THanks!!!!:rolleyes:

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First off there is a US law that states you MUST go back to the original state you filed in because they have jurisdiction over all matters in this case.

2nd issue is.. visitation and child support aren't together they are separate. Witholding a child just because he doesn't pay may cost you the child.

3rd issue.. Yes you can fight the lowering of child support but your going to have to prove he makes more then he claims or there wouldn't be an adjustment.

My answers are free and that's about what its worth.. get a competent lawyer that can handle your case or seek out how child support is handled in the state you filed in.