A little background on my situation. I had a child at 17 yrs old with an 18 yr old guy. I left the father when my son was 6 months old due to physical abuse. It was not safe for my child. He has only seen our son a hand full of times since then, and not at all in the past 4 years. I do currently have a child support order but he owes $10500 and now owns a business in his gf's name. My son has had a very horrible time dealing with all of this, goes therapy, and still has random outbursts that he blames on missing his dad. His father now lives in Louisiana and has no interest in contacting his son, or visiting him. A woman at the child support office informed me that there is not much NJ can do about him not paying because he lives in LA and They will not take child support from him if he owns his own business. And will not investigate the fact that he has everything in his gf's name. I would like to know if anyone has experienced any of the situations before, or any facts regarding the law. I am looking to take his rights away, or possibly filing abandonment charges. Eventually would like to change my sons last name, or possibly have my future husband adopt him. I have read a lot of the posts on here and am aware of other states laws, but I have not found to many regarding my situation and have a hard time understanding the laws in NJ. Any opinions are appreciated, but mostly looking for laymans terms of the law. Thanks in advance

You hound the child support people. There is no reason that La can't collect the child support. Someone is telling you a lie. Right now they may be overwhelmed but that is not your problem. You could also try contacting a private agency for collection of the arrears. Forget about removal of rights until there is someone to adopt.

I believe your situation has been addressed many times in threads here as well as by sticky notes at the top of this forum.

Right now he is not exercising any of his rights so there is no reason to try to terminate them. If you should marry, then you can pursue an step parent adoption.

If you want to try and change your child's name, go to court and file for a name change. Unless he appears to protest the change, there is a good chance the court will grant it. If not, you can use any name you want except where a legal name is required.

As for the child support. Even if the business is in the girlfriends name there are things that can be done. NJ can try and seize his tax return or garnish his salary. You do have to keep after them.