Ex Wants Support After 10 Years and View My Medical Records

[mamainTN]

My question involves child support in the State of: TN
My ex-husband and I are in court proceedings regarding child support. We have been divorced almost 10 years. He has custody. I filed for disability last year and now he has begun to ask for support (funny when he drives new cars and takes cruises. I have yard sales to pay my utility bills!) the attorney for him has requested my medical records. we just were in court yesterday, I specifically heard his attorney(I assume the D.A.) say "I will make you copies of her medical records that she has given to us for you." What in the world would he need them for and why was he given copies??? I have not signed any release stating anyone can see much less have copies of them. When I asked my public defender where my signed release was, she started squirming and said I didn't give them to him. What are my rights? This man has done everything he can to hurt me from me filing for divorce untill now. I didn't provide copies for them to be distributed throughout the entire courtroom. I thought these were to be viewed my the attorneys and the judge himself. The judge seems to be a fair man, but that D.A. she is out for my blood. She wanted me incarcerated and I am filing for disability!! It's also funny that the records would even be looked at considering my status. I have a fractured pelvis and torn major hamstring on my left femur. There are days when I cannot get out of bed. I also have a 3year old and a nursing infant at home. How can I nurse in jail?? How can I pay child support when I don't have it myself??!! The court room is 2hrs away, I have to rent a car (on my grandmothers visa) pay gas, and hire a sitter EVERY TIME!! What can I do?? The P.D. is NOT working for me, she also claimed "he is getting very frustrated"...."he!!!" what about "me"!!!! I don't have the money to hire a private attorney or I would, I probably wouldn't have to be going back and forth (this was the 3rd time!!) What can I say and do to heed this off?? I have been denied twice and am in the appeal process (it is moving forward favorably my disability atty says). I do NOT want my ex to have my records, it is NONE of his business!!! He just wants to continue to hurt me, because he CAN, and that is the jest of it!!!

[Dogmatique]

The bottom line is your children still deserve to be supported by both parents. Have you ever paid child support since your divorce?

If you do get SSDI, your children will qualify for dependent benefits and you can request that these are considered in lieu of child support. If you haven't earned enough credits then your children won't qualify (but the plus - for you, at least - is that SSI cannot be garnished for child support).

You can deny any request to your medical records, but it's a toss-up whether or not the judge will penalize you for it. Is the father of your other children supporting you/them?