Legal Question in Family Law in California

Deadbeat mom won't pay child support

I have custody of my 17 year old son and the mother was ordered 4 years ago to pay 803.00 per month based on her income. She quit her job two years ago and has not wanted to work and her total back support stands at 16,000.00. She is being semi supported by her live in boyfriend for the past two years and I suspect makes money under the table. She lives in CA and I live in OR and she gives no updates regarding her current work or living situation to either the CA district attorney or OR district attorney. They suspended her drivers license but have not been able to collect moeny for some time. Also, she has another order for child support with an ex husband that has a total of 17,000.00, bringing the total she owes to both parties to 33,000.00. Do I have any other action that can be undertaken to stop the bleeding and give this person an idea that she can't sit back and violate her support order?


Asked on 8/29/04, 12:07 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Lyle Johnson Bedi and Johnson Attorneys at Law

Re: Deadbeat mom won't pay child support

Retaining a attorney to attempt to collect child support may not be econoomical. Since she is not employed and apparently has no assets, collecting will be a slow and expensive process. Contact the California Child support division and request that they file a contempt OSC and that you be allowed to appear by telephone. Then tell the judge that she has not paid and quit her job to avoid paying. That her failure to pay is causing a financial hardship on you and the children.

An aggressive attorney will move this matter along faster, however, if there are no assets how will you collect. The most likely scenario is that she will be found in contempt and placed in jail, sooner rather than later.

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Answered on 8/29/04, 3:43 pm
Brian Levy, Esq. Law Office of Brian Don Levy

Reply: Deadbeat mom won't pay child support

In a general sense, I would consider investing some funds in a good private investigator and see what information regarding her income and assets you can turn up. You need to locate either income or assets to go against in order to collect on the unpaid judgment. I have done this successfully in the past. The risk is you pay the investigator and he or she may or may not come up with information that you can use.

Good luck to you.

Brian Levy, Esq.

www.calattorney.com

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Answered on 8/30/04, 10:45 am


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