[Robfd3]

I have a somewhat different situation. I have a legal judgement against me in the matter of my children and am not allowed any "communication" with my children whatsoever.

I was wondering, if I am ordered to pay child support and insurance, then isn't there a legal stipulation in Tennessee that states that I have a legal right to have some type of visitation with my children? If so, then shouldn't I be allowed to request a "quit" or "stay" of monetary obligation in regards to child support.

I don't have a problem with having to pay child support. My problem is, I want to see my children, and not legally allowed. So, if I can't see my children then I don't want to pay child support.

Call me a sadist. Call me a deadbeat father. But, like I said I want to see my children, but can't.

[kcomissiong]

Support and visitation are not connected. If there is a court order not allowing you to see your children, there is a reason why. What happened that you have been refused visitation? Are there any conditions of the order that would allow you to get it back? Work on satisfying any conditions of the order so that you are able to successfully petition for visitation in the future. Take parenting classes or anger management in good faith if they aren't already necessary. Hire a lawyer if its important to you to see your children. I can't give you any more suggestions than that without knowing why you were refused visitation in the first place.

As for support, your children don't magically stop eating because you don't see them. They don't stop needing clothing or healthcare when they aren't with you. They need a safe place to live and electricity when they are away from your home. Your child support helps to provide that. Would you tell your children to their faces that you don't care how they eat because you don't see them? There is no law that forces visitation in exchange for paying support. That is your JOB and RESPONSIBILITY as a parent, and not seeing your children won't get you out of it.