I have a question and hope you guys can help. I'm 28 and I found my dad. I would like to know can I still charge him for unpaid child support?
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You can certainly try to collect past due child support, however, any state agency will probably not be interested in filing collection efforts as you are now an adult and the case is very old. They already have far too many current cases to litigate now. However, you can retain an attorney to file a legal claim of unpaid benefits. Of course, this is an expensive matter as the attorney will require a fee (retainer) up front before researching and filing a case on your behalf.
Addendum:
If you know now that your father does have significant financial resources to pay unpaid child support, you can ask your attorney to first suggest a meeting with both parties to discuss a settlement now to avoid much more legal expense on both sides in the future. If you father refuses a settlement attempt, you can then pursue formal litigation.
And then there's the issue of whether you want a relationship with your dad. Going after him for money sounds to me like a great way to keep him out of your life.
Were you trying to find your dad or did this just "happen"?
If you were looking for your dad then I think the question would be - why? because you wanted to be able to see him sometime or was the reason just for money?
You do not tell very much so it is difficult to even offer intelligent suggestions.
How long has your dad been "missing" and why has he not been around? It seems we can assume your parents were divorced many years ago but why is it not your mother who is seeking back support or whoever your guardian was during your younger years? This is assuming there was a legal amount of support mentioned in the divorce. I am not sure the money would be paid to someone that did not provide the support as that is what it was set up for.
The person who suggested getting everyone together seems like a really good suggestion.
You will need a lot of legal papers before approaching an attorney. Copies of your parent's divorce papers, something showing how much money your dad paid (of course the burden of proof will fall to him), copy of your birth certificate, and there may be more information needed but I feel sure your legal guardian during your younger years will also need to be present (if available).
I am not experienced with this type of legal action so all of this is just "talk" but common sense should prevail and it is difficult for me to see someone being able to collect money for something that was paid by someone else.
If I am mistaken in my "thinking" please correct my post as I am always willing to learn.
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