Support Arrearage In Tennessee

[tn_girl_1968]

If I have court ordered child support, why is it that my ex-husband can be over $10,000 in arrears. Since I have been on welfare in the past, the case is handled through the State of Tennessee.

The original court order was $140.00 monthly back in 1990, when we got a divorce. I got on welfare for about a year during this time, then got remarried. I did not pursue the child support because my childs father did not want to be in his sons life, also state really wasnt any help to me at that time.

Fast Forward to 1997, and I am once again a single mother, get back on welfare, go to school and get a job, during this time the state finally decides to get child support arrearages.

From 1998 to 2002 he pays as he should. Then he hires a lawyer in 2002trying to say he had gave up parental rights, they found no evidence of this ofcourse. Chancery courts then order him to pay 103.84 weekly in arrears, once again from this point until late 2004 he pays faithfully. Since 2004 I have received no more than $1500.00 in support.

I get notices to withhold income notices from places of employment but never receive any child support. Back in May 2006 a warrant is issued for his arrest, he posts $1000.00 bond and was schedule to appear in Chancery Court August 16, 2006.

So now ex is back to saying that he gave up parental rights, and the state rep. asks to give him a continuance, so that the judge can review case.

We are due back in court October of this year. Can someone please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Did the state guide me in the right direction as far giving him a continuance?
HELP

[Mr. Knowitall]

Your husband has an arrearage because he isn't paying his court-ordered support. If the judge has already rejected his claim that he gave up his parental rights, the judge can reasonably be expected to apply that prior ruling to the renewed claim.

[tn_girl_1968]

Well, the D.A. suggested a continance since there was a new judge and he didnt know the whole story.

The ex was ordered to pay $1000.00 by the 25th of August for a continance, which he didnt do. I call my case worker and she tells me that I should call the clerks office in the county we went to court. I proceed to call the clerk and they say they see no order for that, and as far as the money it did not look like he had paid, and they tell me to call the D.A. I call my case worker to get the D.A. number and she then tells me she had not gotten the ordered done yet. Could she had not told me that in the first place

This made me , so I then I call the D.A. and he said once the order is done its up to the judge what to do next. He says give it a couple of weeks to see what may happen.

If anyone in Tennessee can help me out I would be most grateful, I am in between a rock and a hard place because the state is handling my case, so a lawyer wont touch it. I have read all the books and laws and ofcourse the ex is not following any of them and to me it doesnt seem like the state is either. I know the state has alot to handle but where I am from is a rural area and it seems they just dont want to do there job! The ex is not missing,they know his address and where he works, they keep sending notices to with hold income. Again I have not been on state assistance for at least 7yrs, and every year the state intercepts his irs refund and I dont see one red cent! I understand they are getting back what is theres, but how is it that they make sure they get theres but I cant get what is mine. Thanks