Legal Question in Family Law in Washington
Last year I found out that I had a four year old son in Washington. The only reason I know is his mother wanted help from the state. I don't mind paying my child support. Is there anything that can be done about back child support that I am ordered to pay. How can I be ordered to pay when I never new. It's not fair to be kept from your child and have to pay for it. Why doesn't she have to pay for not letting me know about my son.
1 Answer from Attorneys
You may not like this answer, but it is not about what is fair to you. It's about the fact that the state's taxpayers had to pay to support a child that is not theirs, and now that they have found the father, it is better that he pay for his child than the taxpayers, if he can afford to do so.
That's a cold way of putting it, but given the choice between the taxpayers and you, the state legislature has chosen you to be responsible if the mother cannot afford to support the child on her own when your identity was unknown. That said, if you have a large back support order, usually you can work out a payment plan that allows you to be considered current for purposes of avoiding a contempt of court finding.
Related Questions & Answers
Looking for something else?
10,200 active attorneys ready to answer your legal questions today.
Featured Attorneys
Earn additional revenue and grow your business.
