My baby's father is a Marine but currently stationed in Japan for the next few years. My question is, how do I go about filing for child support? We both know that the military requires the child to have a DNA test and Social Security card but do I still need to go through the courts or just through the military?

Get your own lawyer, definately. He or she can act as your agent with the Marine Corps.

Getting a lawyer is going to be expensive unless someone knows something that I don't. He would get in huge trouble with his chain of command if he didn't pay child support. All you need to do is get the paternity confirmed and get a court order. He must comply or face federal and UCMJ charges! Good luck, I hope it all goes smoothly.

Thanks....I actually did some looking online and called a local child support enforcement place here (can't remember the exact name heh)

They said they will take care of everything, I just need to go down there and file after the baby is born.

I also know about marines.mil = ) I have his address and his squadron number so it won't be hard to find and contact his CO ; ) He's been pretty conversational with me on things. Unfortunately, he won't be able to come back here for the birth because his plane ticket will cost $2000+ or something but he says a check is in the mail to help with my medical expenses (I'm not holding my breath but trying not to worry either...)

Hmmmm
things must have changed since I was in.
If he is active duty why can't he catch a MAC flight back to the US? Why pay for a Comm. flight when he could fly Mil. for free?
something isn't adding up here.

Dawg

Well, if I wasn't a civilian I could answer that for you = )

I don't know how they do things so I take it as it is. But whatever, if he prefers not to be around when the baby is born or at all that's his choice but he won't escape his financial obligations to his daughter....

He can catch a MAC flight from Japan they fly over there daily. His pay will be garnished if he chooses not to take care of this on his own and once the baby is born make sure you get a dependent I.D. card for them for medical coverage purposes.

Thank you = )
Next time we talk (usually every few weeks or so) I'll mention that to him. I'm not too worried about the financial obligations from him--I'm pretty much guaranteed because if he chooses to be an *** (which so far so good) I can easily find his CO and get this all straightened out.

I was just hoping he would be around for the birth but.....that's his choice I guess.

Maybe by then he'll change his mind. We can always hope!!