Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

How to get discovery on ex-husbands finances w/out a lawyer

I am broke and have to represent myself. Over a year ago my ex who made over $75,000 a year became un-employed. He then went on unemployment and married a dentist who makes $ 7,898.00 per mth. the judge lowered my child support in April of 2004 stating that it was temporary. My ex was a network administrator for the city of Marysville for 4 years. He has since graduated from college and earned another degree, anotherwards he is extremely well qualified. I am positive he has his own business under the table and I can't afford to hire an attorney or investigator to get the info. I need. It's been over a years sincethe temporary reduction was put into place and the case is still open. I am now filing for the child support modification. I don't know how to get access to his tax records or other financial info. As it stands with him pleading unemployment based on those numbers I would barely get anything. Meanwhile he lives in luxury and I can't afford my sons school supplies. Any suggestions? Thank you--name removed--Renner


Asked on 7/29/05, 2:42 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Christopher Steuart IT Forensics, Inc.

Re: How to get discovery on ex-husbands finances w/out a lawyer

The response to your petition for modification of child support should include financial documents: bank statements, earning statements, tax returns. The problem is that if he is truly in the cash economy, he is not routing money through a bank and there is almost no way to track it. One thing you may have going for you is that he will have to show that he has tried to get work, that he is not voluntarily underemployed or unemployed or he may be exposed to the imputed income standard (for his age and sex). You might contact: Snohomish County Legal Services in Everett (425) 258-9283.

They provide services in civil cases including family law; eligibility is based on federal poverty guidelines.

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Answered on 7/29/05, 3:10 am


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