[qtcookie]

Hi... I will try to keep this short.. In 1072 I was divorced and it was ordered in San Diego that my husband was to pay a mere $225 a month for all three of his children. Well I never received a dime from him and he left California and went back to the east coast where he did very well. I didn't hear a thing from him for 20 plus years and then my daughter tracked him down and she went to visit etc. etc. I never said a bad thing about him ever because I did not want my kids to think that their dad was a deadbeat. He made it big in the entertainment biz and he appartently is a very well known radio personality and he owned a radio station and he manages some bands etc etc. I was really happy for him but now I am very upset because my beloved son died last dec and I did need some financial help and he promised that he would assist me(it was his son too) but that was the last I ever heard from him again. Yes it seems vindictive and that is probably because it is. But all that I would like to know is if it ispossible to sue for the support that he never paid. And I mean he never paid so much as a dime. Thank you

[excon]

Hello qt:

I don't know. But I would give it a shot. Shop around for a lawyer. They'll tell you quick enough. And, I'll bet they will take the case on a contingency basis. That means it won't cost you any money unless you win.

excon

[ScottGem]

Did you ever have to use any public assistance while you raised the kids? Not just welfare, but food stamps, medicaid, anything? If so, then report him to that agency and they will try to collect. Of course they will take anything recovered and apply it towards what you received first.

Second possibility. If he is a well known in the entertainment field, you might try using publicity against him. I would contact an attorney and use telling (or selling) your story as leverage.

I think, however, that trying to recover back child support now that the kids are grown is going to be difficult. But I think you have some strong leverage to force, at least, a settlement.

You really should consult with an attorney.

[s_cianci]

First of all, I presume you meant 1972 as the year of your divorce? Lol! That said, the divorce is now 34 years old and obviously the kids are even older than that. Since the kids are now approximately 40 years old, give or take, it's not likely that any court would honor any claim for back child support. As it is, that $225 a month was intended for the kids, not you, and now the kids are at the age where they'd be expected to support themselves. If anything, the kids are the one's who'd be entitled to back support payments, not you. But, like I said, with the kids now being the ages they are, it's not likely that any judge would order Dad to make any back payments. Unfortunately, 1972 was well before the time when the powers to be decided to get tough about enforcing child support orders.