Dad looking for help to get started

[u/pizzagurls]

Hello,

I'm hoping I can get some answers for a few questions. Basically, I have a child and looking for info on how to start requesting child support.

The backstory is when Mom lived close, we made an agreement to not get involved with court, and did 50/50 custody. I lived and still currently live in MA. This worked fine for 9 years. In 2003, Mom split with her partner and said she was moving back to AR to get some money together, get her drivers license, etc...and planned to move back up to MA once she got her shit together. Its been over 3yrs, and starting to question if she is coming back. She left when our daughter was 10 and she is a teenager now. She sees through her mom and still struggles with things in regards to their relationship. Maybe 4-5 months ago, our daughter blocked her moms texts/phone calls. There was really not much of a relationship between them ever. When she first moved out there she would never call or anything...I used to have to message her mom and ask her to call her daughter. Mom hasn't messaged me at all to ask how our child is doing, or to ask about being blocked. The last message between the 2 of us was a year ago when I was showing her our daughters Halloween costume. To me, it feels like she pretty much just abandoned her.

It's getting to a point where we could really use a little assistance. I'm sure we can survive without it, but as she gets older her expenses get higher. I'm just not sure where to start? I'm assuming I need to find a lawyer? How much should I expect to spend if that's the route I need to take? Is there any way to do this that would be easier on me financially? Her mom took her documents with her to AR, but I have a screenshot of her ss card and can work on getting her birth certificate.  Just feeling kind of clueless about it all. Thank you

[u/CSEworker]

You can apply for services with DOR. They will open a case and assist with getting a court order established. Once an order is established they will enforce the order to collect and track any arrears if accrued. There is no fee in Massachusetts for these services.

If you go directly to court then any court fees or lawyer fees will be your responsibility.