When an Oklahoma man’s ex-wife told him she was pregnant, he asked if he was the father.
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"She said, ‘Yeah, 100 percent sure you’re the dad,’ so I didn’t question it past that,” the man said.
But that man, who asked to remain anonymous because of pending litigation, says testing shows otherwise. He provided The Oklahoman with a copy of genetic test results dated Nov. 10 from Identigene showing he is not the father. State law, though, compels him to continue paying child support even though he’s not a biological parent — and there are more like him.
Nearly 25 percent of about 3,000 paternity tests conducted by the state Department of Human Services from July 2007 through June ruled out the supposed father as the biological parent. Nationally, that number reaches nearly 30 percent, according to the American Association of Blood Banks.
State limitsDHS only performs genetic testing within the first two years of a child’s life, which is the state limit on contesting paternity.
After the two years, "it comes into the best interests of the child and protecting the child to ensure that there’s a source of reliable support,” said Jeff Wagner, spokesman for the DHS Child Support Enforcement Division.
The child the Oklahoma man pays child support for is nearly 5 years old. more
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
N.Y. lawmakers: No more taxes on child support
TROY — Rensselaer County legislators on both sides of the aisle have sponsored resolutions asking Congress to once again fund programs that support child support collection enforcement.
Such programs used to be funded by the federal government, but as part of the Deficit Reduction Act, signed into law in 2006 by President George W. Bush, funding was cut. To use the programs, child support recipients have to pay a $25 fee after $500 in child support is collected.
"The child support enforcement program has proven to be an effective program, assisting families in obtaining the money they need for basic necessities," said Democratic Minority Leader Ginny O'Brian, who sponsored the minority's resolution. "Child support accounts for up to 30 percent of the total income for some poverty-level families, and to take a fee out of that money is just not right."
Republican Legislator Martin Reid, sponsor of the majority's resolution said, "The majority has introduced a resolution calling for the child support fee to be rescinded. We feel the fee is unfair and unnecessary, and Congress should act immediately to end the practice."
Many who oppose the fee cite the impact it has on needy families. "The child support fee unfairly takes money away from families who are already facing challenges," said Republican Legislator Lester Goodermote. "Our residents pay enough in taxes and fees and this is one governmental
surcharge that should be junked as soon as possible." more
Such programs used to be funded by the federal government, but as part of the Deficit Reduction Act, signed into law in 2006 by President George W. Bush, funding was cut. To use the programs, child support recipients have to pay a $25 fee after $500 in child support is collected.
"The child support enforcement program has proven to be an effective program, assisting families in obtaining the money they need for basic necessities," said Democratic Minority Leader Ginny O'Brian, who sponsored the minority's resolution. "Child support accounts for up to 30 percent of the total income for some poverty-level families, and to take a fee out of that money is just not right."
Republican Legislator Martin Reid, sponsor of the majority's resolution said, "The majority has introduced a resolution calling for the child support fee to be rescinded. We feel the fee is unfair and unnecessary, and Congress should act immediately to end the practice."
Many who oppose the fee cite the impact it has on needy families. "The child support fee unfairly takes money away from families who are already facing challenges," said Republican Legislator Lester Goodermote. "Our residents pay enough in taxes and fees and this is one governmental
surcharge that should be junked as soon as possible." more
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
I was laid off my job, can I get a break on child support?
Q I was one of hundreds of people laid off from my job recently. I’ve been looking for a new job, but I haven’t found anything yet. With no income, I haven’t been able to make any child support payments to my ex-wife. I’m not a deadbeat dad; I’m just out of work. Can I get my payments lowered or suspended until I find work?
A. Maybe. You can hire a lawyer and seek court approval for a modification of your court-ordered child support payments. However, by the time your case gets heard, you may already have a new job or you may be impossibly far behind on your payments.
Another option is to talk to your ex-wife to see if she would let you pay less than you owe, or perhaps nothing, until you find a new job, with the understanding that you will attempt to make up the missed payments when you are able.
Even if your ex-wife is not agreeable to your plan, you should still try to pay as much as you can each month. Later, if you find yourself in court defending your lack of payments, you will be able to demonstrate that you paid all you could afford, even though you were out of work.
But don’t forget: Interest adds up quickly on unpaid and underpaid amounts. Plus, the law does allow a judge to send you to jail for failing to make the child support payments.
A. Maybe. You can hire a lawyer and seek court approval for a modification of your court-ordered child support payments. However, by the time your case gets heard, you may already have a new job or you may be impossibly far behind on your payments.
Another option is to talk to your ex-wife to see if she would let you pay less than you owe, or perhaps nothing, until you find a new job, with the understanding that you will attempt to make up the missed payments when you are able.
Even if your ex-wife is not agreeable to your plan, you should still try to pay as much as you can each month. Later, if you find yourself in court defending your lack of payments, you will be able to demonstrate that you paid all you could afford, even though you were out of work.
But don’t forget: Interest adds up quickly on unpaid and underpaid amounts. Plus, the law does allow a judge to send you to jail for failing to make the child support payments.
federal judge has rejected a lawsuit to stop Massachusetts from imposing new child support guidelines.
BOSTON — A federal judge has rejected a lawsuit that sought to stop Massachusetts from imposing new child support guidelines.
Fathers and Families, a Boston-based group that pushes for reform of child custody and support policies, last month sued Judge Robert Mulligan, the state’s chief administrative judge over new guidelines that went into effect Jan. 1. The group claims the new guidelines are unfair and do not take into account the costs of raising children.
Judge Douglas Woodlock on Monday denied the group’s request for an injunction to stop the new guidelines from being used in family court. The judge said it would be inappropriate for the federal courts to get involved in a battle over state regulations. more
Fathers and Families, a Boston-based group that pushes for reform of child custody and support policies, last month sued Judge Robert Mulligan, the state’s chief administrative judge over new guidelines that went into effect Jan. 1. The group claims the new guidelines are unfair and do not take into account the costs of raising children.
Judge Douglas Woodlock on Monday denied the group’s request for an injunction to stop the new guidelines from being used in family court. The judge said it would be inappropriate for the federal courts to get involved in a battle over state regulations. more
Fathers’ group sues to stop new child support rules
A nonprofit organization opposing revisions to the Massachusetts child support guidelines that took effect on Jan. 1 appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock in Boston this morning to ask for a halt to their implementation.
Fathers & Families, a Boston-based group that advocates for “children’s right to the love and care of both parents after separation or divorce,” filed suit against Chief Justice for Administration and Management Robert A. Mulligan and other trial court judges on Dec. 23. That same day, the group filed a request for a preliminary injunction in hopes of preventing judges in Massachusetts from applying the new guidelines to cases involving child support after Jan. 1, 2009.
Ned Holstein, executive director of Fathers & Families, served on the 12-member task force convened by Mulligan in 2006 to rework the guidelines. He told Lawyers Weekly in an interview for a story last November about the new guidelines that he tried in vain to convince the task force that the revisions would prove too expensive for many non-custodial parents. When the task force unveiled the new guidelines in November, Holstein wrote a dissenting report that characterized them as flawed and unfair.
In its lawsuit, Fathers & Families argues that Mulligan and the Trial Court violated the federal equal protection clause by implementing discriminatory rules, the federal due process clause by passing a law by “judicial fiat,” and the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights by passing a law without the participation of the other two branches of state government.
The group also argues that the new guidelines are “arbitrary and capricious” where the Trial Court did not consider, as statutorily required, any “data on the cost of raising children.”more
Fathers & Families, a Boston-based group that advocates for “children’s right to the love and care of both parents after separation or divorce,” filed suit against Chief Justice for Administration and Management Robert A. Mulligan and other trial court judges on Dec. 23. That same day, the group filed a request for a preliminary injunction in hopes of preventing judges in Massachusetts from applying the new guidelines to cases involving child support after Jan. 1, 2009.
Ned Holstein, executive director of Fathers & Families, served on the 12-member task force convened by Mulligan in 2006 to rework the guidelines. He told Lawyers Weekly in an interview for a story last November about the new guidelines that he tried in vain to convince the task force that the revisions would prove too expensive for many non-custodial parents. When the task force unveiled the new guidelines in November, Holstein wrote a dissenting report that characterized them as flawed and unfair.
In its lawsuit, Fathers & Families argues that Mulligan and the Trial Court violated the federal equal protection clause by implementing discriminatory rules, the federal due process clause by passing a law by “judicial fiat,” and the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights by passing a law without the participation of the other two branches of state government.
The group also argues that the new guidelines are “arbitrary and capricious” where the Trial Court did not consider, as statutorily required, any “data on the cost of raising children.”more
Monday, January 5, 2009
Dad Ordered to Pay Child Support Kills Son
NEW ORLEANS — A man who initially told police gunmen kidnapped his 2 1/2-year-old son was arrested Saturday, accused of committing an "extremely hideous" murder because he was ordered to pay child support, Police Superintendent Warren Riley said.
Danny Platt confessed, told police where to find the child's body and will be booked with first-degree murder of Ja' Shawn Powell, Riley said at a news conference.
"He had said he would kill either his wife or his child before he paid child support," which he recently had been ordered to do, Riley said.
Riley said he did not know the amount of child support and would not describe how the boy was killed, saying the coroner would do that after the autopsy was complete. The coroner's spokesman did not immediately return a call.
"The mother is in a safe place," Riley said.
Although he had visiting rights, Platt, 22, of New Orleans, had never visited the boy until he picked him up Friday, Riley said.
Police put out a notice Saturday asking people to look for the boy and saying his father had told them three men with dreadlocks and AK-47 rifles had piled out of an SUV and kidnapped Ja' Shawn shortly before midnight Friday. more
Danny Platt confessed, told police where to find the child's body and will be booked with first-degree murder of Ja' Shawn Powell, Riley said at a news conference.
"He had said he would kill either his wife or his child before he paid child support," which he recently had been ordered to do, Riley said.
Riley said he did not know the amount of child support and would not describe how the boy was killed, saying the coroner would do that after the autopsy was complete. The coroner's spokesman did not immediately return a call.
"The mother is in a safe place," Riley said.
Although he had visiting rights, Platt, 22, of New Orleans, had never visited the boy until he picked him up Friday, Riley said.
Police put out a notice Saturday asking people to look for the boy and saying his father had told them three men with dreadlocks and AK-47 rifles had piled out of an SUV and kidnapped Ja' Shawn shortly before midnight Friday. more
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Ex-colonel gets prison in Cumberland County paternity scam
Former Army Col. Scott Carlson was sentenced to 4 to 23 months in Cumberland County Prison this afternoon for convincing a fellow Army War College student to take a paternity test for him.
President Judge Edgar B. Bayley imposed the penalty after Carlson's lawyer, Dennis Boyle, urged that the retired officer be given probation instead.
Boyle said Carlson, 53, of Swansea, Ill., will appeal the sentence.
Bayley said he sent Carlson to prison because the crime "struck at the heart" of the county Domestic Relations Office's efforts to ensure children receive support.
Senior Assistant District Attorney Derek Clepper said the prison term was exactly what he was seeking.
A county jury convicted Carlson in September on charges including theft by deception, obstruction of justice and conspiracy.
Authorities said that in April 2007 Carlson persuaded fellow war college student Bruce Adkins to go to the Domestic Relations office in his stead and provide a DNA sample for a paternity test.
Investigators said Carlson, who retired from the Army this past summer, was trying to avoid paying child support for a 10-year-old daughter he had fathered through an extramarital affair with an enlisted soldier.
Carlson had been paying support for the girl without a court order, but in late 2006 the mother asked for a higher amount of court-ordered support.
Adkins testified against Carlson and is scheduled for trial in January. Clepper didn't rule out the possibility that Adkins might be offered a plea deal. more
President Judge Edgar B. Bayley imposed the penalty after Carlson's lawyer, Dennis Boyle, urged that the retired officer be given probation instead.
Boyle said Carlson, 53, of Swansea, Ill., will appeal the sentence.
Bayley said he sent Carlson to prison because the crime "struck at the heart" of the county Domestic Relations Office's efforts to ensure children receive support.
Senior Assistant District Attorney Derek Clepper said the prison term was exactly what he was seeking.
A county jury convicted Carlson in September on charges including theft by deception, obstruction of justice and conspiracy.
Authorities said that in April 2007 Carlson persuaded fellow war college student Bruce Adkins to go to the Domestic Relations office in his stead and provide a DNA sample for a paternity test.
Investigators said Carlson, who retired from the Army this past summer, was trying to avoid paying child support for a 10-year-old daughter he had fathered through an extramarital affair with an enlisted soldier.
Carlson had been paying support for the girl without a court order, but in late 2006 the mother asked for a higher amount of court-ordered support.
Adkins testified against Carlson and is scheduled for trial in January. Clepper didn't rule out the possibility that Adkins might be offered a plea deal. more
Domestic matters before courts steadily increasing
The number of domestic matters before the courts are steadily increasing each year and as of late child support cases are also on the rise, Deputy Magistrate Helen Jones revealed.
Noting that a total of 698 domestic matters were filed for the year in Grand Bahama alone, Jones said that number is up 19 from last year, which saw 679 cases.
Within five years, the case load of domestic matters increased by 216.
In 2003, 482 cases were filed; 536 in 2004; 598 in 2005 and in 2006, there were 621 cases.
"The majority of cases that have come to my court lately have been child support," Magistrate Jones said, pointing out that usually most of the domestic matters would be binding over orders and legal separations. more
Noting that a total of 698 domestic matters were filed for the year in Grand Bahama alone, Jones said that number is up 19 from last year, which saw 679 cases.
Within five years, the case load of domestic matters increased by 216.
In 2003, 482 cases were filed; 536 in 2004; 598 in 2005 and in 2006, there were 621 cases.
"The majority of cases that have come to my court lately have been child support," Magistrate Jones said, pointing out that usually most of the domestic matters would be binding over orders and legal separations. more
Andre Rison former WR for the Chiefs , is facing court-ordered bankruptcy
Andre Rison, who played WR for the Chiefs from 1997 to 1999, is facing court-ordered bankruptcy.
Former NFL and Michigan State receiver Andre Rison faces a court-ordered bankruptcy to pay more than $105,000 in back child support and other claims.
Terese Dear, a courtroom deputy for U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Flint, said an order was entered June 6 to put Rison into Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Rison, a Flint native, has until June 25 to respond before the court proceeds with efforts to recover his assets, Dear said.
Rison owes child support, attorney fees and court administrative costs, according to a bankruptcy court petition.
Rison's ex-wife, Tonja Rison of Southfield, is listed as one of the creditors. Her claim is for more than $58,000 in child support. An Atlanta law office is claiming another $46,000 in unpaid legal fees for seeking child support from Rison for two children by a girlfriend. more
Former NFL and Michigan State receiver Andre Rison faces a court-ordered bankruptcy to pay more than $105,000 in back child support and other claims.
Terese Dear, a courtroom deputy for U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Flint, said an order was entered June 6 to put Rison into Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Rison, a Flint native, has until June 25 to respond before the court proceeds with efforts to recover his assets, Dear said.
Rison owes child support, attorney fees and court administrative costs, according to a bankruptcy court petition.
Rison's ex-wife, Tonja Rison of Southfield, is listed as one of the creditors. Her claim is for more than $58,000 in child support. An Atlanta law office is claiming another $46,000 in unpaid legal fees for seeking child support from Rison for two children by a girlfriend. more
Parents Say Beware of Bogus Child Support Collection Companies
MEMPHIS, TN -- If you are paying child support in Tennessee, you may want to make sure it is going to the proper location. If not, you might not get credit for the payment and you could end up in jail. Mitch Morgan is the director of the Child Support Services division at the Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County. Morgan says many times, parents are sending money to a private collection agency, but they think they are sending money to the state.Morgan says a company operating in the Memphis area is called “Child Support Services.” Morgan says the name is deceiving. Many parents think when they call that agency; they are calling the Juvenile Court. Morgan says the paperwork the company sends out looks like the official state paperwork. Morgan says the company illegally issues wage garnishments. That means the money is taken directly from the person’s paycheck. The company lists an address of 111 S. Highland, Suite 415. When Eyewitness News went to that location, we found a UPS Store. “Suite 415” is really a post office box. If you call information, you are told the company is located at 202 S. Court. However, when we went to that address it was a downtown parking lot.Anthony Strong has had child support taken out of his paycheck since April. Strong says even though the money is being garnished, his ex-wife is not getting the money. “Right now I feel taken advantage of “says Strong. He added “I feel sorry for my daughter because she is not getting the support I thought I was giving her.” more
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
DNA test doesn’t stop Oklahoma man's child support liability
"She said, ‘Yeah, 100 percent sure you’re the dad,’ so I didn’t question it past that,” the man said.
But that man, who asked to remain anonymous because of pending litigation, says testing shows otherwise. He provided The Oklahoman with a copy of genetic test results dated Nov. 10 from Identigene showing he is not the father. State law, though, compels him to continue paying child support even though he’s not a biological parent — and there are more like him.
Nearly 25 percent of about 3,000 paternity tests conducted by the state Department of Human Services from July 2007 through June ruled out the supposed father as the biological parent. Nationally, that number reaches nearly 30 percent, according to the American Association of Blood Banks.
State limitsDHS only performs genetic testing within the first two years of a child’s life, which is the state limit on contesting paternity.
After the two years, "it comes into the best interests of the child and protecting the child to ensure that there’s a source of reliable support,” said Jeff Wagner, spokesman for the DHS Child Support Enforcement Division.
The child the Oklahoma man pays child support for is nearly 5 years old. more
But that man, who asked to remain anonymous because of pending litigation, says testing shows otherwise. He provided The Oklahoman with a copy of genetic test results dated Nov. 10 from Identigene showing he is not the father. State law, though, compels him to continue paying child support even though he’s not a biological parent — and there are more like him.
Nearly 25 percent of about 3,000 paternity tests conducted by the state Department of Human Services from July 2007 through June ruled out the supposed father as the biological parent. Nationally, that number reaches nearly 30 percent, according to the American Association of Blood Banks.
State limitsDHS only performs genetic testing within the first two years of a child’s life, which is the state limit on contesting paternity.
After the two years, "it comes into the best interests of the child and protecting the child to ensure that there’s a source of reliable support,” said Jeff Wagner, spokesman for the DHS Child Support Enforcement Division.
The child the Oklahoma man pays child support for is nearly 5 years old. more
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Charges filed for over $67,000 in child support
The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office filed more charges last week against two men who reportedly owe over $67,000 in child support and interest. One man owes money to two different women.
Brian K. Gulbronson, 37, Black River Falls, faces 16 failure to support charges in two separate cases while Darrell J. Towne, 38, Holmen, was charged with six similar offenses.
According to the criminal complaints, Gulbronson owes $40,372 in child support and $20,365 in interest as of Sept. 30. In one case, Gulbronson was to pay $84 a week beginning in July 2002, and his last payment of $165 was last March. In another case, he was supposed to pay $71 a week beginning July 2002, and his last payment of $135 was last March.
According to the complaints, Gulbronson has been found in contempt of court on at least two occasions. He last served 60 days in jail this summer but has not been in contact with the child support agency since his release. more
Brian K. Gulbronson, 37, Black River Falls, faces 16 failure to support charges in two separate cases while Darrell J. Towne, 38, Holmen, was charged with six similar offenses.
According to the criminal complaints, Gulbronson owes $40,372 in child support and $20,365 in interest as of Sept. 30. In one case, Gulbronson was to pay $84 a week beginning in July 2002, and his last payment of $165 was last March. In another case, he was supposed to pay $71 a week beginning July 2002, and his last payment of $135 was last March.
According to the complaints, Gulbronson has been found in contempt of court on at least two occasions. He last served 60 days in jail this summer but has not been in contact with the child support agency since his release. more
Delinquent support pay earns man prison time
COLUMBUS -- A 44-year-old Columbus man who “pathetically failed” in his last chance to catch up on a stack of unpaid child support bills was sentenced to 18 months to four years in prison in Platte County District Court.
District Judge Robert Steinke told Richard Delancey Wednesday he had “pathetically failed to comply with the terms of his probation” while sentencing the defendant to prison for his summer 2007 convictions on four counts of criminal nonsupport.
Steinke on Wednesday revoked the four-year probation sentence he imposed last summer against Delancey in what the judge at the time promised would be the defendant’s last chance to avoid a prison cell.
“While you don’t take the terms of your probation seriously, I do,’’ Steinke told Delancey, standing before him in front of the bench. “I gave you the opportunity to change your life ... it simply has not worked. The court is without any option. You have to be held accountable.”
Criminal nonsupport is a Class IV felony, punishable by a maximum of five years imprisonment, $10,000 fine or both and no minimum sentence. more
Monday, November 24, 2008
Dozens gather to remember child who was fatally beaten
The light of dozens of candles shines outside the former home of 20-month-old Imani Jennings.Police say the toddler was viciously beaten to death by her mother's boyfriend Friday, after she had a potty training accident. Both the mother, 20-year-old Cherron Patterson, and her boyfriend 15-year old Anthony Weakfall, were arrested Saturday.Dozens gather to remember child who was fatally beaten The murder of a young girl has drawn sympathy from across the Syracuse community. Sunday night, dozens of people came out to show their support for Imani Jennings at a candle light vigil. Allison Lazarz has more on the tribute and the message the little girl's biological father had for the community."I'm just disturbed. Every vigil that we do is hard it's frustrating, it's painful. This victim, from what I understand, people knew she was being left alone, people knew she was being abused and no one said anything. This is what needs to stop this is how we can bring our community together," said Rachel Titus, a member of the group Mothers Against Gun Violence. Imani's biological father came to the vigil to tell neighbors they need to keep an eye on one another."Make sure that we're looking out for the young people today and making sure we're involved in their lives so stuff like this won't happen," said Lee Jennings Jr., Imani's biological father.Even though some of baby Imani's relatives say this has been incredibly difficult, they say all the community support is helping them stay strong. "It takes a lot for somebody who doesn't know you to come out and support you in your time of need. It's soothing to know that there are people that will support me. That there are people who are hurting with me and that people are praying with me and that is why I smile," said Rohnda Wright-Jamison, Imani's grandmother.And she and neighbors at the vigil know Imani is now at peace.An exact time hasn't been set for her funeral.Related Stories
Monday, November 10, 2008
Make non-custodial parent pay $25 fee
Right here in New York state. Effective Oct. 1, a federally required annual service fee of $25 is being charged to the custodial parent who is receiving child support. This is starting to sound like a racket on how they are charging fees to collect money... DPHS charge interest on arrearage, charge a fee for collecting the money. I suppose DPHS makes millions of dollars each year, simply by relying on mothers to file for child support. A bill should pass to elminate how much money DPHS should actually make in a year...
Child-support laws need to be changed
I think that the new changes in child support has made some major improvements for the man, but the way they calculate needs work. How can a woman who makes more money than the man and still get tax free money as if she did not work?
The point should be made if a woman can terminate a childs life in 1 simple payment, a man should be able to terminate his rights to a child with 1 low payment. equality for all. Also, it is my belief that Court ordered support is re[*#@!]ulous. Maybe if the way support was calculated was better examined, there'd be less 'dead beat dads'. Just a thought.
The point should be made if a woman can terminate a childs life in 1 simple payment, a man should be able to terminate his rights to a child with 1 low payment. equality for all. Also, it is my belief that Court ordered support is re[*#@!]ulous. Maybe if the way support was calculated was better examined, there'd be less 'dead beat dads'. Just a thought.
Rounding Up Deadbeat Parents
Why is it so easy to find deadbeat fathers and moms but can not collect a dime? I think that in some case trying to squeeze blood from a turnip, is just not going to happen. The ideal to impose child support on a person who is living with his mom and then put him in jail, what is that really going to accomplish... In my mind repeat offenders usually have a hard time finding work. So even if its only 50 dollars a month, something is better than nothing. To impose a fine and take half of a mans check is not fair to the man or his family. You see until the judges start looking at what they do to the common man, they will never know how to be fair and impartial. So in 6 months they will have another round up.
Paternity tests prove hundreds are not the father
The Daily Telegraph can reveal 18 men, cleared by DNA testing, have made use of changes permitting them to claw back funds paid through the Child Support Agency. More than 300 men have been cleared by DNA of being fathers. Documents obtained under Freedom of Information show orders for $171,567 to be returned have so far been made against the mothers.
The money that was paid to them is being garnisheed from mothers' incomes by the Child Support Agency in the same way that payments are taken from the wages of non-custodial fathers. In each case the duped men were able to prove beyond doubt in the courts they were not the fathers based on DNA paternity testing. The new law, section 143 of the Child Support (Assessment) Act, requires the Family Court to consider issuing orders for repayment where paternity is successfully challenged and child support has been paid.
The law allowing such repayment debts to be collected by the Child Support Agency became effective on January 1 last year. In the biggest case, Queensland man Ken Rodgers obtained orders for the repayment of $60,000 after making child support contributions over a decade to a woman who refused to even send him a photograph of his alleged child.
The happy note is that some fathers are being reimbursed for their payments for a child that was not his, although what about the fathers who have proved the child is not theirs and can not get his money back...
Is that really justice?
The money that was paid to them is being garnisheed from mothers' incomes by the Child Support Agency in the same way that payments are taken from the wages of non-custodial fathers. In each case the duped men were able to prove beyond doubt in the courts they were not the fathers based on DNA paternity testing. The new law, section 143 of the Child Support (Assessment) Act, requires the Family Court to consider issuing orders for repayment where paternity is successfully challenged and child support has been paid.
The law allowing such repayment debts to be collected by the Child Support Agency became effective on January 1 last year. In the biggest case, Queensland man Ken Rodgers obtained orders for the repayment of $60,000 after making child support contributions over a decade to a woman who refused to even send him a photograph of his alleged child.
The happy note is that some fathers are being reimbursed for their payments for a child that was not his, although what about the fathers who have proved the child is not theirs and can not get his money back...
Is that really justice?
Indiana man gets four years in prison for not paying child support
ZANESVILLE — An Indiana man received four years in prison Monday in a Muskingum County Common Pleas court for not paying child support, according to the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office.
Adonis Brooks, or Kenneth T. Brooks, 48, was sentenced to the prison term by Judge Mark Fleegle and ordered to pay $51,260.83 in back child support for six children. This is the worse thing that the Courts could do to a man. When they lock him up they not only punish him but punish the childern as well. If the Courts would spend as much time trying to work with the person behind on support as they do trying to lock them up maybe, just maybe they could get something accomoplished other than locking them up. The worse thing that can happen to this man is interest on arrearage! You see after child support reaches a certain limit, it becomes impossible to pay back!
Adonis Brooks, or Kenneth T. Brooks, 48, was sentenced to the prison term by Judge Mark Fleegle and ordered to pay $51,260.83 in back child support for six children. This is the worse thing that the Courts could do to a man. When they lock him up they not only punish him but punish the childern as well. If the Courts would spend as much time trying to work with the person behind on support as they do trying to lock them up maybe, just maybe they could get something accomoplished other than locking them up. The worse thing that can happen to this man is interest on arrearage! You see after child support reaches a certain limit, it becomes impossible to pay back!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Dead Man can pay no Child Support...
This is about Scott Peterson who keeps receiving a letter to pay his child support. Although DHS is probably wondering how Peterson manages to evade the police for the past 10 years. Well I thought I would help the Jacksonville DHS out... Forget the countless letters that has been sent, or unlimited phone calls that has been attempted. I sure hope that what I am going say will help you out. Scott Peterson is dead! As a matter of fact he has been dead for 10 years now...As a matter of fact it made the news when he was murdered! Maybe you morons in that town could read your mail or even answer the phone? I can only imagine how much interest that has accrued during this 10 year period?
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