[rr.angel]

My parents divorced when I was very young and I now live with my father. My mother has never paid any child support and school fees have really risen. Is there a way to get my mother to pay what she should have, or start paying child support without going through the court?

[Ashley3214]

No only your father can control that and most of the time it would go threw court because your mother might want to fight it...

[ScottGem]

Has your father ever applied to the court for child support? Your mom doesn't owe support unless there is a court order to pay. Even if your father goes to court now, he is unlikely to get support retroactively.

And your father has to do this, you cannot.

In some areas, if the custodial parent receives public assistance, the state can pursue support from the non custodial parent outside of going to court. But it doesn't sound like that would be an issue here.

[JudyKayTee]

It always goes through the Court - both the Order for the dollar amount AND enforcing that decision.

[Fr_Chuck]

Of course you can always call her up and ask her why she is not paying. But only the court can force her to pay.

As asked before, is there even a court order that says she is suppose to pay?

[rr.angel]

Yes, there is a court order to pay

[ScottGem]

If there is an existing court order, then most states have agencies that will aid in collecting support. Has your father contacted the agency for your state? If he doesn't know how, tell us your general area and we may be able to help you find it.

Does your mother have a job? Do you know why she doesn't pay?