I had my child support modification hearing in October and support was increased by more than half since I have not requested modification in over 11 years; stupid me for waiting so long. It really is not that bad. However, noncustodial parent objected to referee's decision and we now have to go to court in January. I was hoping to receive the new child support amount before Christmas, but now I have to wait and my car just broke down-"When it rains, it pours." I called the court and asked about objections to report and they sent me a copied letter of objection and I finally had a good laugh. I cannot wait to go to court because I cannot wait to hear what the Judge is going to say. I asked what will take place and they told me that nothing new can be added; no new information. This hearing will be based on a taped recording of the modification hearing that took place in October with the referee. Noncustodial parent's objection was based on noncustodial parent saying that he/she cannot make $600.00/month child support payments because he/she makes only $70,000 a year. Can you believe that?!!! I will keep you all informed about what happens- hopefully this Judge will not be sympathetic with him/her and will give him/her a good wake up call.

Well, if anybody cares, I had my civil court hearing on objections to the referee's report at the beginning of January 2007. The noncustodial parent claimed he did not make enough money to pay what the referee recommended; however, he called the court the day before the hearing and dropped his objection. So, now I am left waiting to see if he actually pays the new child support amount which was supposed to have started in December 2006. He is late 2 months of support and I am really struggling to make it now. I have called the caseworker and she says once he is late 3 months they notify the IRS and the licensing bureau. I know he pays into the IRS so they cannot take anything, but how long do I have to wait for the license "thing" to take effect. I guess they suspend his license when he tries to renew it and he then has to make an effort to pay something as far as child support. I cannot wait that long...I just do not think I can make it financially without the support and he is playing a game and making us suffer just because I finally asked for a modification after 12 years...

I know how ya feel, sometimes I could just pull my hair out dealing with the whole CS issues. Stand your ground and don't give up. I wish there was a majic button i could press to make all our CS issues GONE. Good Luck!!

I know nothing about CS in America but I think it is probably difficult everywhere. It least here the Tax Department collect child support on your behalf and if they do not pay it is like any other taxes there are large financial penalties. That said my son’s father does not pay his either so he is just racking up a huge debt. I would have thought that $600 a month on a salary of $70,000 would not be too difficult for him. I hope he starts paying soon and in the meantime hang in there!
Aroha

As far as his license, they have to power to suspend it immediately for non payment/arrears, not just when it normally expires. If he has a bank account they have the power to drain those funds. And for the IRS there will be a tax lien so that at tax filing time any refund he is entitled to will be taken for child support payments.
Now whether they actually take as fast of action as they have the power to for his license really varies from state to state and even county to county. Typically they'll send a notice explaining their intentions to suspend his license if he doesn't make a good sized payment immediately and agree to stay current on future payments including an additional amount to go towards paying off arrears.

Thanks for all the input. I have waited until the first of February and then called my child support caseworker in the other state. She said that he happened to call on the 31st of January to find out his balance and he told her that he was going to send half of the amount due and then the other half would be sent at the end of February. It is the 3rd of February today and nothing has come in, but I know it is early yet if he mailed it to CSE. It may be truth or he may be stalling again.
I will keep you updated... I am just waiting until he requests a modification hearing to reduce the amount he has to pay--as he hides all his assets and reduces his income.

Another update... he paid one-third of what he owes from December, January and February at the beginning of February. It is the 22nd now and he called me this morning and left a message on my answering machine saying that I needed to call him so that we could talk about a couple of things. Yea, the heat is on and he is looking for a way out. Sorry it is in the court's hands and I will make no other amends.

Don's comments were right on the money (factually accurate).