Child Support After Eight Years

**jeff1978** · 01-07-2008, 01:31 PM

My friend was involved in an extramarital affair eight years ago during which time two children were conceived. He has never had anything to do with this woman or her children. He recently divorced and remarried. After finding out he got remarried through a family member she filed for child support in Florida. After receiving papers, my friend requested a paternity test. He recently received papers stating he owes tens of thousands of dollars for back support for the past eight years and that his taxes and wages will be garnished but he never received a response to his request for paternity testing. While contesting the back support issue he was informed that his paternity request was denied but the clerk couldn't answer any of his questions over the phone. Her solution was for him to make amends with this woman and ask her to drop the petition. What is the next step that my friend should take? He has no contact with this woman who waited eight years to request child support for two children he isn't sure are his.

**Baystategirl** · 01-07-2008, 01:35 PM

Your friend waited EIGHT years to care if these children were his. He knew but didn't bother to man up and file for paternity/support/custody.

**jeff1978** · 01-07-2008, 01:44 PM

Apparently, it wasn't an issue because neither parties pursued any action for EIGHT years. So, my question is what is the next step??

**Baystategirl** · 01-07-2008, 01:50 PM

Quoting jeff1978

Apparently, it wasn't an issue because neither parties pursued any action for EIGHT years. So, my question is what is the next step??

He hires an attorney to represent him.

**jeff1978** · 01-07-2008, 02:52 PM

Thank you. He really cannot afford an attorney. Is there anyone with a second opinion?

**Mr. Knowitall** · 01-07-2008, 03:29 PM

It sounds like he defaulted in the paternity case. We have no way of knowing how that might have happened. If he doesn't like paying child support, and isn't very good at figuring out how to litigate these issues without legal help, he needs a lawyer.

**jeff1978** · 01-07-2008, 04:06 PM

The clerk informed him that a court hearing was held but couldn't say when or in what state and at that time it was determined how much he should pay each month although he wasn't present. How does the judge (I'm assuming in Florida) come up with an amount without the paying parties financial information? Also, is it possible for a child to be given a man's last name, who is not the woman's husband, without the man's presence at the hospital to sign paperwork?

**Mr. Knowitall** · 01-07-2008, 06:44 PM

He defaulted in the paternity action, so he was declared the child's father. If he didn't present information about his income as ordered by the court, the court would have estimated his income.

Ignoring a paternity lawsuit doesn't make it go away. It makes... this happen.