Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Step-parent child support/arrears responsibility

Last year, I married a guy that owed 25K in child arrears to his daughter that lives in PA. He has a payment plan setup, in which he complies and also, child support is automatically withdrawn from his paycheck each week. Also, any tax return is automatically applied to his arrears.

We have maintained completely separate financial accounts and responsibilities�

His former wife is now threatening that she will claim my tax return (which I filed married but separate, as did he) and she is also saying that I am responsible for paying his child support and his arrears that �if we don�t start being nice to her� than she will seek to have my wages garnished.

None of this makes any sense to me as to why I would have financial bearing to this child that my husband hasn�t even seen in 8 years. Is there is an written law that I can refer too that explains my rights because I don�t think I should be at the mercy at this woman or a child that I have never even met.

I don�t want to seem like I am discounting the fact that my husband acted like a deadbeat for a while, because he did and he should have to pay for his responsibilities but I don�t think I should.


Asked on 4/08/08, 1:42 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Christopher Steuart IT Forensics, Inc.

Re: Step-parent child support/arrears responsibility

Under Washington law your income is not subject to the child support obligation. As long as you keep your finances separate from you husband your money is safe. You may want to relist this case under PA as it is PA law that is controlling.

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Answered on 4/08/08, 11:21 pm


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