Increasing Child Support

DHHS Child Support Enforcement. Thats how my mom did it, and they just use their own lawyer, plus they are a government agency so they can look into their job records and garnish wages if needed.

Child Support Enforcement has been great for me. They not only get the child support but they also make sure my ex has ins. on the kids. I am in Arkansas, not sure which state you are in but each state should have a child support office.

I just had mine increased. You would call your local Child Support Support Enforcement Agency and ask for a review. (Child Support Enforcement Div for New Orleans###-###-####) If you have the address you can send them a letter. I know mine wanted it in writing. I just requested a review of the case, and gave them the change in circumstance that warranted it (he is making so much more money). They did the rest. They have a staff lawyer that they pay, not you, and he handled the legal end of the review. I had to show up the day of court.(Mine was actually in an office with just him.) My ex was there, he was asked a few questions and then they looked over his pay history. They increased my child support by more than double what it was. My ex, like yours, was paying like $150 a month for more than 10 years. He would brag that he makes so much in construction, so I went and had it reviewed. They should have to help with their children. Hope this helps...Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions, or for support...

you can call your support enforcement office and they will do it for you - usually located within the district attorney's office

Unfortunately, I think you will probably need an attorney to get the increase. To get it, you'll have to prove a change in the payor's circumstances, which may require going into court. However, if you cannot (truly) afford to hire an attorney, there are local bar associations that refer out pro bono cases to attorneys, especially in family law, that will handle the case without attorney's fees. Another option would be to shop around for attorneys - not all of them charge really high fees. The bottom line is really, will it be worth it in the long run to spend the money now to get the increase in payments for your son for the future? If your ex truly is making much more money now, it's his duty to give some of that money to support his son. Hope this helps.

I know what you mean about trying to be nice and all with the ex. It is very frustrating to hear them brag about money when you are barely getting by. I really don't like Child Support Enforcement, but that really would be your best bet in this case since you can't afford a lawyer. Also, if you go through a lawyer, if he doesn't pay on time or refuses to pay, you have to keep taking him back to court and it just isn't good. Just call Child Support Enforcement where ever you are located. I advise you to keep on top of it though, sometimes they are slow moving.

If you have low income you can try this number. 1-800-256-4650 or try this site. http://www.dss.state.la.us/departments/ofs/Support_Enforc...

Hope this helps.

I don't know how to do it without an attorney but I do know your attorney can request that he pay you back for your expense. That's what I did. It took some time, but I got everything back. My attorney charged about $350 to file the papers and have him served.

Hello A.,
Does he pay you through the sate? If he does, contact your case worker and tell them you want an increase. They will request your income and his and take it from there. If not, you could go to your local court house and file for an increase yourself. Most records there are public record. Find some paperwork, you may even be able to use your own from the previous child support file, and type it up yourself. Then you just have to pay to file it. There should also be some lawyers that do pro-bono work, call the clerk of courts office and ask them for names and numbers. GOOD LUCK!
D. D

I went through Capital Area Legal Services when I took my daughter's dad to court over child support. It didn't cost me a cent.
They're located at 200 Third Street, and their phone number is ###-###-####

Hey A.,

I was in your situation a few years ago only my ex never paid or only paid once in a while.My lawyer told me about a child support enforcement unit that was in my town.They enforce what the judge has ordered and they also look into rasing support and any other revisions that need to take place.I am not sure where you live they agency I went through may be able to tell you where you need to contact in your area.There number is ###-###-####.They are in Arkansas.Hope this helps.

I would advise you to get a lawyer. You may be able to get the judge to not only increase your support, but order your ex to pay court costs and attorneys fees as well. A good attorney is priceless when it comes to child support issues.

In La, you can go back every 2 years. If it has been 8 years, you should be in for a substantial increase. Your income will come into play. There is a formula that is used in court. If you have his income information, the EASIEST way to do it (and least expensive) is to come to an agreement on your own, then file a consent judgement in the court. It can be a really expensive long drawn out battle...5 years and counting with mine....

You can file through SES & pay only $25 (I think...) but it takes a while to get going...but if you are really on a tight budget, this may be the option for you.

I utilized a web site IN ADDITION TO my awesome attorney.

www.la-legal.com

There is a forum on there that answers just about any question possible....

Check it out...you may find your answers there. Or at least it can give you a jump start on making some decisions...

I hope this helps! Good luck!!!!