It's beyond ridiculous.
So yeah, back in April 2007, I put in for a modification of my child support.
He had been ordered to pay a whole whopping $21 per week for the last 14 years.
He could barely do that, but he's a business owner now, so I figured hey, he's finally making something of his life, he can afford to start paying for more of the teens care.
In today's mail, I got a packet of papers detailing the new modified support.
Are you ready for this?
Hang on to your panties kids, this is gonna blow your minds.
The new modified support is $67 per week, supposed to be deducted from his paycheck automatically, but uh, he's the boss, he writes the paychecks.
I won't ever see that $67 per week.
At the bottom of the court papers he signed, he claimed hardship.
Said he already pays $400 per month in child support.
Hey pal, not my problem that you fathered six children, maybe if he kept his dick in his pants, he wouldn't have to pay so much for all these kids huh?
For the last 14 years, he's been court ordered to pay $21 per week, per kid. I've never seen that amount on a regular basis. For years, he didn't pay anything at all.
Heck, this Friday he paid in, $20.20.
Amazing huh?!
I seriously can't believe that the courts felt that $67 a week is substantial for the care of his two sons who have gone years and years without any child support, only got it when he felt like being honest and paying it.
Sure it will be $268 a month, but he's never ever been able to pay the $21 per week, he won't be able to do this.
To say I'm disappointed in the state of Maine court system once again, is an understatement.
He's claiming hardship and they fell for it.
He owns his own business, he can cook his books, write his own paychecks, and no one will be the wiser.
Gah.
Comments
How do you do it financially? Sounds like you're doing okay-subs from Publix, new blinds etc. But how? How are you living in Florida where it's not the cheapest place and raising 2 kids on your own? Give me some strength and direction woman.
Posted by: Chris | February 16, 2008 10:49 PM
What a joke. One good thing about Massachusetts is that they are much stricter about collecting from deadbeat parents. One of the things they do here is post pictures of them in public places, such as signs on buses, and even in the post office. They list the deadbeats' names, places where they were last known to live, how much back support they owe, and for how many kids.
The state can also seize any assets that they find that a deadbeat has, and liquidate them to put towards the payments they owe. If they don't have any assets, they can just get thrown in jail.
No, they can't work and make money to pay if they're in jail. But jail would definitely cramp the ex-bastard's lifestyle. The state should tell him, okay pal, every time you don't make your payment on time, that's another 30 days in the clink for you.
Hardship, my ass! If he had enough money to buy a business, he should also have enough to help support his kids. I think the state should also audit said business, and see how much he REALLY is making. He could also go to jail if he ever gets caught cooking the books. If, for no other reason, that this means he's also cheating on his taxes.
This shit pisses me off to no end. Mike grew up in a single-parent home; his father abandoned his first family and had more kids with some other woman. He was also always crying poverty and barely paid a dime of support for Mike and his two siblings. That guy was a piece of work.
Posted by: Christine | February 17, 2008 9:39 AM
God, that sucks... I know it's based upon income, but in Texas, my friends usually get about $500/month per child, and still the guy gets off easy. I mean, think about how much the kids cost when you were married... I never understand why 1/2 of the guy's income isn't automatically deducted, because that's about right.
Posted by: Absurdist | February 17, 2008 11:10 AM
Appeal that order!!!!! I don't see how they could have made that decision without your involvement with the process. It has to go through the steps. Go online and find out how to appeal in the state of Maine. That is outrageous.
To answer Chris' question... it's called budgeting. And she works her ass off!!!! All from home too!
Posted by: Mindy | February 18, 2008 12:03 PM
That freaking sucks. Like everyone said before me, Maine sucks. I don't know about IL, but I do in Wisconsin that state goes after the dads and completely takes it out of the mom's hands. They go after the dads and it doesn't cost you a cent.
Hopefully you can appeal, but I have a feeling that isn't going to do you much good.
Posted by: Lisa | February 18, 2008 9:13 PM