My ex owes thousands in back childsupprt and they have taken his tax returns for the first time this year, and I heard they hold it till they want to release it, but I've also heard that unless he signs it over I will never get it, so how does it all really work? Cause if it was up to him I would never get it.

Contact the agency responsible for collecting support. If you had to apply for public assistance, its possible the support is being used to offset what was given you.

But, otherwise, if the agency collected support, it should be forwarded to you.

The reason for the "hold" is because of legal challenges that can be made against the money. There are limits as to how long a challenge can be made before the money is released. If the return was joint in nature then one of the causes for delay can be "injured spouse" claim. Even after the challenge the monies will be paid out with what is left over.

He is not required to "sign it over" Not knowing if both you and the state pehaps have claims because of public assistance maybe, who gets the money is a issue of who is owed money also.

And yes, it is held past any time frame he may have to appeal and show cause why this should not happen.