Owed child support in Florida? Good luck

"Circuit Judge Theotis Bronson ordered him to pay $1,000 of a support tab that approached $10,000. To pay off the remaining $8,746, the judge added $30.50 a month to his income-deduction order."

How does this hold someone accountable for supporting their children? It doesn't. Shame on the judge for not being tougher on this deadbeat. And kudos to the mom for taking care of her kids without dad's assistance. She deserves a medal!

Women get custody unless they are a criminal or crack head. Then they want to get paid. And this is fair??? I can't wait until we have Sharia law.

I have been trying to collect the over $10,000 my ex now owes me for a very long time. I have spent over $5,000. in fees to lawyers and so far the deadbeat has sent only $1,000. in the past 18 months. I can no longer afford a lawyer to help and the state will do nothing because my case is considered "private" because at the time of my divorce, I could afford an attorney. He hasn't even tried to see his kids in over a year. Hasn't bought a hair cut or a pair of shoes. He could care less. When will the state of Florida and it's judges get serious about this issue. My ex got his stimulus and tax refund and didn't have to give a dime of it to his kids. Worthless deadbeat fathers or mothers should have to pay their back childsupport before anything else.

Matty Matt wrote:

Women get custody unless they are a criminal or crack head. Then they want to get paid. And this is fair??? I can't wait until we have Sharia law.

Lol, a man can't even pay a percentage of what it costs to raise children, why should he have custody? The mother is not getting 'paid', she is raising children, that costs money. She did not have the children on her own.

Matty Matt wrote:

Women get custody unless they are a criminal or crack head. Then they want to get paid. And this is fair??? I can't wait until we have Sharia law.

I have 50/ 50 of my kids. The judges are finally understanding that that there are dads out there that want to be a part of their kids lives. Research now supports that a child needs the father just as much and children should not be blindly awarded to a parent based on their genitals. As a teacher I can tell you, the single Mom situation has not been a benefit to the children. Lack of direction and discipline have made our young people believe in a life of entitlement over contribution. Step it up Dads! Don't believe you do not have a right to be an equal parent. It no longer holds true.

this system is so flawed!!!! they can't even track the money that is paid. we experienced something completely different when our joint tax return was seized for "never paying" an arrears amount that was ordered by the court at the custody hearing. every month we paid that amount and all of a sudden get something saying we never paid anything when infact by the court ordered payment amount we were to be done with those payments in february. so... now... we risk my husband loosing his license or going to jail because of their screw up. his daughter's mom in the mean time gets her check every month and why would she speak up and say whoa... i have gotten the full amount of payment and arrears when it would mean her getting a payment reduction each month. this system sucks. did i happen to mention we have 50-50 custody... but still are ordered to pay support??? and the mom makes more than my husband???? why would you make people unable to work by putting them in jail and unable to drive. seems counter productive. instead... make them get training and help them find work if neccessary.

Ask any woman who is raising his kids. It was difficult for me to get the child support 20 years ago, so what has changed here? Not much in Floriduh.

There was another thread where there was a woman who said all women should have a career or way to earn life long income before they have kids. This is very true. You can not expect all men to stick around forever, even in a stable marriage, after 10 or 15 years, men are likely to stray away from the family. You will NOT get child support if he goes off with another woman and has children with her. I have known many cases like this and the courts can do little. You are not protected. You should always be prepared to sustain your kids because they are yours first and your husbands, second. I know doctors who are let off the hook in domestic financial decisions in courts. You really need to teach your girls this, parents.

Matty Matt wrote:

Women get custody unless they are a criminal or crack head. Then they want to get paid. And this is fair??? I can't wait until we have Sharia law.

No Mas!!!! The power that women once held in the courts is GONE!!! Men, know your rights!!!! If you want to be a dad to your children and going through a divorce - FIGHT for 50/50!!! Unless you are a criminal, there are new laws in place to help you have equal access to your child. If you have an attorney who is unwilling to fight for 50/50 (whether through mediation or court), then ask your attorney for a full refund or you will report him/her to the Florida Bar Association (don't just say it, do it)!!! Make sure you get all responses in writing (emails) to produces to the FBA. My attorney was unwilling to fight until he mysteriously got a call from the FBA - then he wanted to do whatever I asked that was reasonable (I was the customer after all!!!).

Many attorneys do not want to fight for 50/50 b/c they lose money when they go to court. If the mother of your child does not want you to have equal access to your child, then FIGHT!!! Find an attorney who will fight for you!!! Keep your ducks in a row.

Fathers - we cannot be good dad's one night a week and every other weekend!!

I fought for 50/50 and WON!!! I have my son 1 week on, 1 week off. Ironically, mother and I found a way for each of us to see our son during our weeks away from one another.

wild world wrote:

Ask any woman who is raising his kids. It was difficult for me to get the child support 20 years ago, so what has changed here? Not much in Floriduh.

I moved here almost 20 years ago and it was like I was living in a poor foreign country. They are still so far behind they will never catch up.

This woman could have generated more income from a part-time job than with the hours she's frittered away dealing with state stupidos. As for buying her daughter a car -- now that was stupid, too, since iInsurance alone for teens are outragous. Since she's out of a job herself, she can drive the kid wherever she needs to go.

I agree with hsa, I was ripped by a woman who when my child was 2 asked to adopt him with her new husband, we signed papers and when he was 18 I get a letter from Child Support Enforcement for 16 years of back support. The Ex never adopted the child!!!!! So long story short I have a court order to pay $300 a month until 20 grand is paid. I have NEVER missed a payment yet the Dept of Revenue in Florida has tried on numerous occasions to suspend my driver's licence, deduct the payments from my employer and military pention, and like hsa tried to keep my tax return. They are a worthless department who cannot keep track of those who pay and those who do not. Apparently their motto is "Harrass Everyone" I am sick and tired of the letters stating that I am in arrears and the 800 number is worthless as well you sit there for 30 minutes just to be told there is nothing they can help you with. I do feel for the women and men out there who need support for there children and do not get it but when someone is doing the right thing they should have the peace of mind that they are doing the right thing and not be harrassed.

Aparent wrote:

I have been trying to collect the over $10,000 my ex now owes me for a very long time. I have spent over $5,000. in fees to lawyers and so far the deadbeat has sent only $1,000. in the past 18 months. I can no longer afford a lawyer to help and the state will do nothing because my case is considered "private" because at the time of my divorce, I could afford an attorney. He hasn't even tried to see his kids in over a year. Hasn't bought a hair cut or a pair of shoes. He could care less. When will the state of Florida and it's judges get serious about this issue. My ex got his stimulus and tax refund and didn't have to give a dime of it to his kids. Worthless deadbeat fathers or mothers should have to pay their back childsupport before anything else.

Honey, you blew $5000 on a lawyer and now you have the nerve to cry about money he owes you?

I guess the guy should not drive and go hungry to pay your legal fees?

Times are tough for everyone, not just you. Try and spend your money more wisely in the future and perhaps practice some personal responsibility. You are the only person in the world with an interest in your own well being...

Aparent wrote:

I have been trying to collect the over $10,000 my ex now owes me for a very long time. I have spent over $5,000. in fees to lawyers and so far the deadbeat has sent only $1,000. in the past 18 months. I can no longer afford a lawyer to help and the state will do nothing because my case is considered "private" because at the time of my divorce, I could afford an attorney. He hasn't even tried to see his kids in over a year. Hasn't bought a hair cut or a pair of shoes. He could care less. When will the state of Florida and it's judges get serious about this issue. My ex got his stimulus and tax refund and didn't have to give a dime of it to his kids. Worthless deadbeat fathers or mothers should have to pay their back childsupport before anything else.

Anybody who pays $5,000 in legal fees on the off chance they might collect $10,000 is a few bricks short of a load. Your kids would have been better off if you'd spent that money on food, shoes and school supplies.

Men are the missing link in our current society. They have sex and then don't step up to the plate and financially raise their children. They should be ashamed of themselves-I guess thats the point, they have no respect for themselves, why would they respect the fact that their children depend on their financial support. These men are the poorest examples of what men were 40 years ago. Weaklings, selfish, shortsighted fools! Woman who let these men impregnate them are no more than sperm depositories.

Oh, and by the way: 50/50 is not the answer-repair your marriages-go to church; get counseling;abandon your silly prides. 50/50 doesn't necessarily help the child.

Weak example of MEN wrote:

Men are the missing link in our current society. They have sex and then don't step up to the plate and financially raise their children. They should be ashamed of themselves-I guess thats the point, they have no respect for themselves, why would they respect the fact that their children depend on their financial support. These men are the poorest examples of what men were 40 years ago. Weaklings, selfish, shortsighted fools! Woman who let these men impregnate them are no more than sperm depositories.

Is it men who are responisbe for the decline in society or society in general? Not trying to be philosophical. I would love to see the data on the percentage of teenage pregnancies in today's society of 2 working parents versus that of the one income family from before the 70s.
I can't necessarily look at men and say they have loaded guns and are to blame anymore than I can blame women for opening up their legs and receiving the man. The "safe sex" revolution never happened.

Welcome to the OC wrote:

<quoted text>
Is it men who are responisbe for the decline in society or society in general? Not trying to be philosophical. I would love to see the data on the percentage of teenage pregnancies in today's society of 2 working parents versus that of the one income family from before the 70s.
I can't necessarily look at men and say they have loaded guns and are to blame anymore than I can blame women for opening up their legs and receiving the man. The "safe sex" revolution never happened.

Never trust a man. Ever. LOL And that is the truth. You can love them, have children with them but you better be able to care for your brood once he's done with you.

And this is the government that you want to depend on for health care?

You think it will any better?

When a candidate in Leon County filed to run for public office some citizens informed the Tallahassee Democrat that the candidate was $10,000 in arrears in child support and had a criminal background. The editor said the child support issue and other criminal issues could not be substantiated. The editor apparently was not aware that Clerk of Courts Office records can be obtained online.

The TD refused to inform the public of the past and current drug and theft charges and that the candidate was a bonafide dead beat dad.

The Tallahassee Democrat did a glowing bio on the candidate even giving him a college degree though there was no degree. A weekly TD columnist even said he "admired the heck out of" this candidate.

The candidate lost by a landslide and went on to Palm Beach County and filed to run for PBC Tax Collector.

Before the PBC election he was arrested (again) and now is serving time in prison.

Good job Orlando Sentinel for tackling this underreported issue!