If You Have Never Worked, Can You Be Required to Pay Child Support

[lee4v]

this is based on illinois.

I have had custody of my daughter her whole life. I have never worked, but was a stay at home mother. I divorced my husband and moved out. he started to pay child support. I later remarried, and still never worked, but attended college. I have had a very hard life, especially child hood, and have always been emotionally bothered. I decided that i wasnt the best for my child so i decided to move away and become independent and healthy. I talked to my ex and he agreed to take our daughter full time. I moved 2000 miles away. i have been going to school full time ever since. I still do not work, but i am living on student loans and with a friend.

The other day i received papers for a court date. He wants full custody (which we agreed to) and he also wants child support. (which we did not agree to). i have never financially supported our child. i have never worked before. her whole life, he has been the only one financially supporting her. plus she is living even better off with him now because there are two working adults in the household. if i get a lawyer, will it be a fightable case? he wants full custody and i am granting it to him for obvious reasons. But i cannot work right now, and it is hard enough going to school 40+ hours a week. Do i have a case?

[Dogmatique]

Time to get a job and support your child.

No, you can't get out of child support.

[horseyjess]

Time to get a job and support your child.

No, you can't get out of child support.

Ditto, unless your ex has a new spouse and you and they agree for his spouse to adopt your child. Leave her their child to support and you no rights to her.

[Dogmatique]

Call me cynical, Jess, but I have the sneaky feeling that this isn't actually Mom posting...

[horseyjess]

Oh that would never happen