I raised my grandson from 3 months to 11 years. At the 11th year Steven moved in with his mother.
Years later I located the father of my grandson. We all did the kumbaya thing, etc., I told him that I wanted him to help Steven and put him through a trade school. 6 years later and after many heated arguments Steven is going to a trade school, but his father has stuck him with half the bill.
Long story short, can I collect child support from the father for the years of his life that I totally supported him? He has a good business and his wife is well placed in medical science.
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Im pretty sure you need a lawyer for this one. Did any court system appoint you as his guardian for the time he was living with you? That may make a big difference in whether or not you are entitled to anything. I wish you luck.
You certainly have the right to try to collect financial remuneration for the expenses of raising your grandson. Unfortunately, hiring an attorney is the most realistic way to recover your costs as the research and litigation will take time and can be quite expensive.
If you decide to litigate:
*Is the mother your daughter? The father will certainly try to limit his financial responsibilities by filing suit against the mother for costs during the time you raised your grandson.
*There will, most probably, be significant emotional and psychological trauma for all during and after the litigation process.
*During the research and litigation process, there will most likely be new and unexpected facts and circumstances to consider.
I do not mean to disuade you from litigation, but want to alert you to certain probable difficulties along the way. Legal Aid may be able to help you, however, the process can take a much longer time as they are always overloaded with cases.
Good Luck!
I'm sure the first question in any readers mind is why did you have the responsibility of raising your grandson during that period?
Were there ever any legal papers signed or any kind of documentation that you were the legal guardian?
I assume the mother is your daughter so another question would have to be - where was she during this period of time?
If your grandson was "abandoned" more or less by both parents then all of this may be a basis for a case claiming any back support. Only an attorney can help with this sort of case and if you do not have financial resources to pay then you should seek legal aid and just wait your "turn".
You state that his father has a good paying job and also mention his wife but you have not mentioned anything about a divorce. I assume there was a divorce and cannot understand why there was no legal responsibility for child support handled at that time.
Anyway, we can only offer minor suggestions and hope you will follow through with your quest as the father (and mother?) should have to be responsible for support you provided for this child.
they may not have been married...
the on ly one that can tell you for sure is an attorney... laws are so different depending on circumstances and what state you are in etc....
You will need an attorney, but rarely if ever does a child support order get granted for past time. If he is already in trade school, it sounds like he is an adult.
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