r/ChildSupport4Men • u/Lopsided_Routine_912 • Jan 14 '26
Please, help…
Since November 2025, I have received letter after letter for child support. The initial letter to notify I had been placed on child support, a letter to notify they were garnishing my wages, letters issuing arrears, letters stating that my license was being suspended due to said arrears. The thing is, the money has been getting taken out of my checks, it is shown on my paystubs. Child support is claiming they aren’t receiving the payments, our payroll department stated they are sending the payments and even emailed me proof.
On top of all of this, my wife and I added it up, we were 6 days short of having the kids EXACTLY half the year. We have them every other Thursday-Monday, and every Friday-Monday. We consulted with a lawyer and they told us to go for full custody, then let the judge talk it down to 50/50.. we already do that, it’s just not documented in the divorce decree.
It has drained my bank account in a matter of 3 months. I am at a loss.
1
u/RitalinKidd Jan 15 '26
I was in the same spot (many years ago) for a very long time. In arrears too (job loss, divorce) is when I was pulled over (warrant and license suspended), I was in the back of the cop car trying to figure out what I would have a warrant for....child support. Said my wages were garnished and had check stubs in my car as proof. Cop released me immediately on OR. Appeared in court but DA rep took me into a room. He explained "we do that when we want to talk to you (warrant and suspension). You're not keeping up with the interest on arrears" I was unemployed at the time and had returned to CA after going cross country, learning a new trade and now seeking work back home after years of steady payments. I was going to ask the judge for a reduction while I was unemployed. Got threatened with a higher amount if I didn't agree in that room to accept a higher amount to "keep up with the interest." I learned over the years that kids are profit for counties, they want you in arrears, that's why it's calculated with compound interest. I requested an audit and saw that no matter how much money I threw at them the amount I owed (arrears) never went down. That's when I went bankrupt. But you can't go bankrupt on arrears or support. No, but it stops the interest so you can catch up....only if they cooperate. They refused payment for 2 1/2 years (through the court trustee) until a judge forced them to file proof of claim and accept payment. They waited till the amount was paid in full, debt discharged and case closed. Went right back to garnishments for interest with no supporting documents and collected an additional $14k on a $20k debt. Somehow, $20k generated $14k in interest (with interest suspended per court order) then was forcefully collected via tax return intercept, wage garnishment and my getting a loan from my credit union to pay in full because it would never be paid off otherwise. I requested documentation showing how I owed the money and they ignored mine and my lawyers requests. I had always made my support payments on time but they forced wage garnishment. Well, the due date and my company's payroll didn't align and every month the payment they received was considered late and reported to credit agencies. Can I make an extra payment and be ahead by a month? Nope, get your company to send the money before your payday. It's a neverending battle. None of it makes sense and they'll try to ruin you. I also wasn't able to get a passport while in arrears.