The Dept of Economic Security rewards deadbeats for not paying child support on time!! ripoff They have the system set up in deadbeats favor not the custodial parent Phoenix Arizona

i have children myself and i know that is hard to raise them and care for them... but i have a question what would be the point of arrenting the father and live him homeless you still dont get your child support, right?.....i will rather have his account levied or a lien on his property...but yes i know they usually put everything under girlfriends name, or mom....i guess it just depend who u get with....you need to have a more dependable and reponsible person...if they love their kids they dont mind paying for child support...myself i would avoid it as much as possible.... i rather do it my self...but again that is just me....as for the income chart for food stamps and assitance i know they are not right, it is expensive but for the bad people that took advantage of all the resources that the state provide people that really need it and deserve to have it the dont....

I also have been fighting for years and been scwred over 2 years of welfare. They waited several months to go to court and by the time they got there my ex quit his job as forman electrician, and enrolled at Pima for electronics, thus showing no income. He was capable of making almost $300 wk. They came out with ajudgement for $115 a month. I figure it should have been more like $300 a month which was on average $65 more amonth then I was getting from AFDC. I later learned to that they will do nothing. YOu end up doing the work and fight for the money and they take it. I got the warrants and I called 911 and got them served, my ex found out hired a lawyer for a custody battle. He won but still had to pay $400 a month on his $16,500 CS debt. My daughter came back and I askthem serveral times to get the payment made to current instead of arrears, they told me that they had. That was a lie and I found out7 months before she turned 18 that ist never happened. I went to court and was awarded $517 mo. and that is what it should have been according to his attorneys figures 2 years before. They say they cant do anything about it. That is 19 months w/o a child support order. about $9500! In all I estimate that I have been cheated out of around $18,000.00!!I to have sent out letters and copies to TV, newspapers and officials who all say someone else is responsible.

Everyones situations are different with this agency.Therefore this solution may not be for all,but many will obtain your goal.I myself did that,ultimately leading to the arrest of the non-custodial parent. All though it is far from over,I did recieve a huge moment of victory which meant bringing forth responsibility of this "dead beat" parent.I chose not to deal with AZ (DCSE) and persue my own avenue at mt local superior court.There is a useful thing there the "Law Liabrary" where you can access the Self Service Center(you can also go online to print them out on your local superior court webpage).Here you can select the apprpriate paperwork to file(over n over if needed) for what pertains to your situation, such as Enforcement of child support,medical/dental insurance or even enforcement of parenting time if previosly established,or establishing any of these.If the other parent doesnt comply they get arrested eventually.It does get a lil tricky to get them served the paper work sometimes,but if u can it pays off in the end.I did it my ex was homeless and on the sheriffs most wanted for support,a lil persistance payed off.

My frustration with CSS started immediately after my divorce (1/96). I handled my own divorce with the help of Peoria' Community Legal Aid when it came time for my appt with Child Support Svc's to do the child support worksheet for our four children using his pay stubs for past 12 mos. the amount they came up with I knew he would just refuse to pay so I ask that it be lowered it was, I also agreed to be responsible for the health ins. After months of receiving no child support I was told that CSS was using a locator service to find my ex and his employer. I soon found out that this locator service was a valley collection agency. Not only did they not locate my ex, they discovered that they were also trying to collect from him on a debt that was clearly listed in our divorce decree as his separate debt 100% to be his responsibility. When I received the garnishment papers for almost $10,000 I learned about community debt being my responsibility to pay of course due to our decree I was entitled to take him to court for reimbursement but then we couldn't even locate him to pay child support. I lost everything, our rental house, almost my children.

Three years of receiving no child support out of the blue I started receiving regular checks. I contacted CSS to check the case status and they said his wages were being garnished for the monthly amount ordered. I didn't rock the boat I have never asked my ex nor CSS for an extra penny, nor complain if there is a couple weeks between payments. My son had a brain tumor before my ins kicked in I paid with credit cards and what cash I had. Automobiles, Car Insurance, School Costs I have handled. I received a notice from CSS about 2 yrs ago stating that they wanted to verify and update my info I called them at that time the representative let me know that I had quite a bit of arrears owing me. I made some comment that my ex will probably be paying me until he's old enough to retire that's when the representative gave me shocking news. If I didn't ask CSS on my behalf to petition the court regarding the arrears amount that three years after my youngest turns 18 that all arrears would be forgiven. How many of you out there knew that information. Why is that not something that CSS makes sure you are aware of if you have arrears? I still do not even know what I had them petition the court to do exactly but it's done.

Today am I better off because of all CSS's involvement in my life? My ex pleads poverty while living with his girlfriend of 5 yrs new wife of less than a year. They work at her parents business where he gets paid barely anything after child support is taken of course she is amply rewarded on her paycheck to make up for it. Their house and brand new Cadilac are also in her parent's business name. I drive a 89 car that I baby to keep it running doing most the repairs myself. I have not taken a vacation since 1997 our oldest has given me 2 wonderful grandsons (ex has yet to see youngest though he is only 5 miles away). Youngest child gets her drivers license next week and is badly in need of braces, her counselor at school and I are joined at the hip working out scholarship and financial aid stuff as he believes she is Ivy League bound. Just because the other three are over 18 as any real parent will tell you doesn't mean that all financial activities have ceased. I haven't had a professional haircut in 3 yrs, my teeth are an embarrassment but I just don't smile as much. I also know every thrift store in the valley by heart and they know me by name. My ex owes me over $35,000 money that would impact mine and my children's lives in ways I don't even let myself think about because I will never see a penny. Knowing this I actually approached my ex with a deal where if he would purchase automobiles for 2 of our children nothing fancy or new just somewhat reliable around $3500 each I would go to CSS and forgive the entire arrears amount. He didn't take the offer because he wanted the deal to also make it that he no longer had to pay any support for our youngest EVER AGAIN!
We will be fine, we will survive him and CSS knowing that it shouldn't be this way but it is.

After reading your reports I felt compelled to write in. I too have never seen a dime of child support, I too have called my child support worker and asked why haven't they pursued the case more. I didn't think I would really need child support, but whne my food stamps got cut off in January, I really got hurt.They said I made to much money to qualify fo food stamps anymore. What? I make about $2200 a month before taxes. That's for me and my four children.They go by gross pay not take home which I take home about 2000. Get this, the child support for my four children is $250.00 a month. And she hasn't paid a dime. Oh, you caught that. Yeah I'm a single dad with four children on my own. Now I get a call from my child support worker saying they can't go after her for child support now because she's getting food stamps and cash aid from the state. Why? Because she's pregnant again. I asked what about my four children and I was told "Doesn't seem fair does it"

So yes ladies, it's not fair at all, I am constantly behind on bills and rent and while exs are able to work the system, we struggle just to survive. I wish I could give my children more and better food and a lot will say $250.00 doesn't sound like alot but ask the people who need it, the children. I wouldn't care if it came in clothes, food vouchers, anything. She has never paid one dime inover a year and a half now, add that up. Oh and who's going to pay for the birth, yep you know,you and me.

I titled this a sad growing trend because more and more real dads are stepping up to the plate and getting custody. We need the help too and we don't really admit it until it's to late. So I know what you moms mean, believe me I am the sad growing trend. I am a M.A.D.(mom an dad, yes my kids give me mothers day cards,I love them so much) and who wants a man with four children? Women are leaving their children behind to have fun nowadays (she's 42 and her newest boyfriends in his twenties,no I don't think he works either, why when they get food stamps and cash aid from the state.

So please ladies, if you know of any help out there please let us know, and yes it's time to let people know we need the help and we shouldn't have to pay lawyers or wait to get it, the children need it NOW. I wrote newspapers and radio statios and not one call back, I gues its not that important to them.

I understand your frustration with the system. It does seem like deadbeat parents get off too easy but in reality the problem is MUCH bigger. Perhaps their incompetent book keeping is pure brilliance on their part. They keep everyone in the dark and rob us all blind. I truly believe that if my xhusband and I were to sit down honestly with each other and our books we would see that there is monies he has paid to the state that I have never received. Unfortunately, more often then not x's don't get along well enough to do that so the state can claim anything they want and usually get away with it.

My current husband is going to court to have the attorney general declare a $7500.00 payment he made through a bankruptcy court several years ago to the DES a valid child support payment. They claim it was a gift and because of this his x believes we still owe her the $7500 plust interest. We've been trying for years to get this straightened out and this is the second time we are having to pay a lawyer to help us get it resolved. I wonder if his x ever saw the money? Maybe she didn't. Does this mean we should have to pay it again?

I understand your frustration with the system. It does seem like deadbeat parents get off too easy but in reality the problem is MUCH bigger. Perhaps their incompetent book keeping is pure brilliance on their part. They keep everyone in the dark and rob us all blind. I truly believe that if my xhusband and I were to sit down honestly with each other and our books we would see that there is monies he has paid to the state that I have never received. Unfortunately, more often then not x's don't get along well enough to do that so the state can claim anything they want and usually get away with it.

My current husband is going to court to have the attorney general declare a $7500.00 payment he made through a bankruptcy court several years ago to the DES a valid child support payment. They claim it was a gift and because of this his x believes we still owe her the $7500 plust interest. We've been trying for years to get this straightened out and this is the second time we are having to pay a lawyer to help us get it resolved. I wonder if his x ever saw the money? Maybe she didn't. Does this mean we should have to pay it again?

I understand your frustration with the system. It does seem like deadbeat parents get off too easy but in reality the problem is MUCH bigger. Perhaps their incompetent book keeping is pure brilliance on their part. They keep everyone in the dark and rob us all blind. I truly believe that if my xhusband and I were to sit down honestly with each other and our books we would see that there is monies he has paid to the state that I have never received. Unfortunately, more often then not x's don't get along well enough to do that so the state can claim anything they want and usually get away with it.

My current husband is going to court to have the attorney general declare a $7500.00 payment he made through a bankruptcy court several years ago to the DES a valid child support payment. They claim it was a gift and because of this his x believes we still owe her the $7500 plust interest. We've been trying for years to get this straightened out and this is the second time we are having to pay a lawyer to help us get it resolved. I wonder if his x ever saw the money? Maybe she didn't. Does this mean we should have to pay it again?

I understand your frustration with the system. It does seem like deadbeat parents get off too easy but in reality the problem is MUCH bigger. Perhaps their incompetent book keeping is pure brilliance on their part. They keep everyone in the dark and rob us all blind. I truly believe that if my xhusband and I were to sit down honestly with each other and our books we would see that there is monies he has paid to the state that I have never received. Unfortunately, more often then not x's don't get along well enough to do that so the state can claim anything they want and usually get away with it.

My current husband is going to court to have the attorney general declare a $7500.00 payment he made through a bankruptcy court several years ago to the DES a valid child support payment. They claim it was a gift and because of this his x believes we still owe her the $7500 plust interest. We've been trying for years to get this straightened out and this is the second time we are having to pay a lawyer to help us get it resolved. I wonder if his x ever saw the money? Maybe she didn't. Does this mean we should have to pay it again?

CINDY,
I'VE READ YOUR REPORT AND TOO MUCH OF YOUR SITUATION TOUCHED HOME. PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP.
EVENUALLY, THROUGH OUR CONSTANT INVOLVMENT WE WILL SOMEDAY SEE CHANGE. BUT WITHOUT ANYONE TO BE THE VOICE FOR THE CHILDREN THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU'D LIKE FOR MORE POSSIBLE OPTIONS. ALSO, CHECK OUT "A.C.E.S."ASSOCIATION FOR CHILDREN FOR ENFORCEMENT SERVICES. THEIR AN LARGE ORGANIZATION IN 48 STATES. THANKS,

I was hoping my case was an isolated one with all the mistakes that the Attorney General's office and Expedited Support have made. I see its the usual from reading the other horror stories written here. I am pretty much where I was last time I wrote. I have been waiting since being ordered by the judge May 18, 2000 to get with Expedited Support and the State to get a calculated amount of child support arrears owed to me with interest. Since that date I have received eight miscalculations ranging from me owing my ex $249.00 to him owing me $22,000.00. I am depressed over the case. I have worked so hard not being able to afford a lawyer and it seems like if I miss one thing these people do I am screwed. It makes me wonder why all the laws under child support when none are enforced. Its suppose to be a felony to owe more than ten thousand in child support, my ex has owed over fourteen thousand since 1989. When you own your own business and you are not making timely payments you are suppose to post bond for an amount to cover the child support. Its suppose to be fraud when you are putting assets in someone elses name to avoid showing owning anything. Your business license is suppose to be taken when you are behind and you are suppose to loose your passport when five thousand is owed. You are suppose to have legitimate answers when asked by the judge why you are behind again in the child support payments not say something like "I just bought my foreman a truck and I didn't want to fall behind on the payments and ruin my credit." I just don't get it why is nothing being done? These are children that are going without. I understand every case is different and unique but aren't these people suppose to be helping? The people I have dealt with treat my ex-husband better than they treat me. I have been lied to and cheated by these people from day one. And who is Expedited Support suppose to be? I have no idea how my case ended up with these people I filed what I thought was contempt of court and ended up in the twilight zone. And why does Expedited Support and the state have different ways of calculating the amounts? That does not seem right. One charges interest on missed and late payments and the other doesn't. Its the law that everyone is entitled to interest on judgements and missed and late payments. I hear now Expedited Support is refusing the interest flat out. That is not legal. I fought for the last three years with Expedited and the State about that damm interest. How they were calculating my ex was better off financially if he missed three child support payments then paid four at once. Then they would apply three of those payments to an interest earning judgement while charging no interest on the missed child support payments. I couldn't believe they thought I would buy that. I wrote and objected to so many calculations and every time they pretended they didn't understand what I was questioning. I just went to court in December of last month and they asked me four time who told me about being entitled to the interest like it was some big secret. What are these people up to what are they hiding? I think they are misreporting the amounts owed to the government somehow so they receive larger grants. I don't know enough about the law to figure it out. They don't want me to get that interest. I just received the eighth calculation three weeks ago and they did away with my judgements and say I only owed interest in the amount of $16,000.00. I have no problem with the amount I do have a problem with them saying I have no judgements because principal is still owed to me on two judgements and that should be earning interest until payed off. One other problem with no judgement is this April our son will be three years after emancipation and with no judgements I have nothing to record and enforce. I don't know what to do from here I just want to wish you all well with your dealing with these people. Watch every calculation and insist on interest on everything you are entitled to it by law. When they give you an amount yours is behind in payments do the math yourself to make sure it adds up correct. Don't expect anyone to help you unless you can afford a lawyer. And say a prayer for all the children going without something tonight because no one is doing their job downtown.

Sincerely,

Cindy Benjamin