Oh: Question About Going Straight to Child Support Agency to Get Support vs the Court

[uh2]

My question involves child support in the State of: Ohio

Long story short, I (father of 4 kids) got a modification to the original support/custody divorce decree. Originally, my ex and I had shared parenting, the kids spent a few hours with me after school every day and then went to their moms house. We split most of the summer...etc. The kids mom was listed as custodial parent for school purposes.

At some point, she had some sort of nervous breakdown, tried to keep a house that she couldn't afford, the kids set the house on fire due to neglect, etc and I stepped in and took the kids and they lived with me. I paid CS for months while they lived with me and she didn't even have visitation with them. I had to go to court and get the CS and custody order modified. I agreed to NOT take CS as long as she held up her end of the visitation and vacation agreement, while she got her act together and dealt with her foreclosure.

Well, after her not returning my phone calls, repeated trips to the casino with her mother, and just not being much of a parent other than making sure she gets the kids every other weekend, I don't have much compassion for her anymore. I'm struggling pay check to pay check and I could use the help.

Is it possible for me to call the child support agency and instruct them to start CS payments (after showing proof of custody), or will that not happen because the amendment to the original decree states that I will not take CS as long as she complies with the visitation? Basically, I'm asking if I have to go back to the court system to get this done, or can I just go to the CSEA and say make it happen?!

Thanks in advance

[jk]

a court is the only entity that can order child support. So, if you want something to change from the current order, you will need to go to court and ask for it.

[uh2]

I just found some info on the CSEA for this county that pretty much says the same thing. Thanks.