Child Support - St. Mary's County

[The_Twisted_Ear]

A close friend of my daughter is experiencing something rather strange - so, I will present it here for comments...

1. Divorced with three kids.
2. Judge (St. Mary's County) awards $300 per child totalling $900 per month to be paid through Maryland Department of Human Resources.
3. Father doesn't pay for 6 months (behind $5,400) and get a court notice.
4. Father pays $900 just before court hearing.
5. She calls the Maryland Department of Human Resources and they say because he just made a payment - that payment applies to current month and is flagged as up-to-date so court date is cancelled.
6. Divorced girl questions what about the other 5 months - she is told that is handled by another office - but they can't provide that office name?
7. Father is behind again and appears will wait 6 months and make one payment to get out of court date when it arrives.

Does this sound right?

[Dupontster]

Sounds like someone knows how to and is playing the system?

[sockgirl77 (Premo)]

Originally Posted by The_Twisted_Ear

A close friend of my daughter is experiencing something rather strange - so, I will present it here for comments...

1. Divorced with three kids.
2. Judge (St. Mary's County) awards $300 per child totalling $900 per month to be paid through Maryland Department of Human Resources.
3. Father doesn't pay for 6 months (behind $5,400) and get a court notice.
4. Father pays $900 just before court hearing.
5. She calls the Maryland Department of Human Resources and they say because he just made a payment - that payment applies to current month and is flagged as up-to-date so court date is cancelled.
6. Divorced girl questions what about the other 5 months - she is told that is handled by another office - but they can't provide that office name?
7. Father is behind again and appears will wait 6 months and make one payment to get out of court date when it arrives.

Does this sound right?

Yes and no. I've fought this battle for over 8 years. Yes, it takes a "father" to be 6 months behind before they finally drag him into court. But no, his court hearing should not have been cancelled and he should not have been made current. She needs to go to the DSS office and have someone help her out. Calling the DHR office is pointless and if you call DSS they'll just route you up to DHR. Also, she can keep track of it here Department of Human Resources. If she's not registered, she needs to.

I talked with a friend at the States Attorney's office and they are working hard to change the process this year. Some of the changes are good and some are not. For example, the custodial parent was never required to go to these arrearage hearings. Now they will be required to take off of work to do so. They are also speeding up the process to have the absent parent's drivers license suspended. Now DHR will argue that it serves as a wake up call to the absent parent. However, I do not feel this way. Either they'll continue to drive on the suspended license or they'll use it as an excuse to not work. Either way, it doesn't help getting the child support paid. I feel the same way about jail time. It's really pointless to put someone in jail for not paying their child support unless they are guaranteed work release and have a ride to work. However, that is not the case the majority of the time. OH and here's the kicker...if the absent parent should land his deliquent ass in jail without the option of work release, he/she can get his/her payments suspended and NEVER owe child support for the time that he/her are in jail.

The child support system in St. Mary's County is quite pathetic.

[aps45819]

State's attorney

[sockgirl77 (Premo)]

Also, if/when he goes to court he'll never be asked to pay the full amount. They'll give him a purge amount to keep him out of jail, but that's all that he'll be required to pay. Here are some examples:

Defendant present and admits to being in contempt for falling in arrears in the amount of $1,589.00 and sentenced to 179 days SMCDC with work release authorized. Sentence suspended upon the condition that the Defendant pay a purge of $350.00 by 12-30-09 at 1:30 pm. Defendant ordered to appear if purge not paid in full. Order and ID Sheet filed.

Defendant present and admits to being in contempt for falling in arrears in the amount of $2,340.00 and sentenced to 179 days SMCDC with work release authorized. Sentence suspended upon the condition that the Defendant pay a purge of $500.00 by 08-18-10 at 1:30 pm. Defendant ordered to appear if purge not paid in full. Order and ID Sheet filed.

Tell your friend "good luck", it's a tough battle.

[The_Twisted_Ear]

Originally Posted by sockgirl77

Yes and no. I've fought this battle for over 8 years...

Thanks a bunch for the quick reply - I just forwarded your reply.

Again - thanks.

[RoseRed (Premo)]

Where's JPC?

[sockgirl77 (Premo)]

Originally Posted by The_Twisted_Ear

Thanks a bunch for the quick reply - I just forwarded your reply.

Again - thanks.

You're welcome.

[iris28]

Yep, sounds about right in my case. And heaven forbid he own his own business...then he'll never have to catch up because there's no one to garnish wages from. Its an uphill battle. I wish her luck!

[sockgirl77 (Premo)]

Originally Posted by RoseRed

Where's JPC?

Still not being a father to his son.