Florida Child Support Enforcement and Medicaid

[Staceyjenkins]

My question involves child support in the State of: Florida
Hi,
My friend got a girl pregnant, she will use Medicaid services while pregnant and after the baby is born this will force friend into child support enforcement. He's on unemployment for two years but has some savings -owns part of a home. Will he have to pay child support AND pay back the state for child benefits. If the child support calculator says he has to pay $250 a month in support could there be other money owed? Could Medicaid take his savings? What is the mother's financial responsibility?
Thank you for your help.

[Xena]

My question involves child support in the State of: Florida
Hi,
My friend got a girl pregnant, she will use Medicaid services while pregnant and after the baby is born this will force friend into child support enforcement. He's on unemployment for two years but has some savings -owns part of a home. Will he have to pay child support AND pay back the state for child benefits. If the child support calculator says he has to pay $250 a month in support could there be other money owed? Could Medicaid take his savings? What is the mother's financial responsibility?
Thank you for your help.

Your friend really needs to start setting aside money right now for the retro support that will be ordered. He can use the calculator to figure out what his approx. CS payments will be.

He should NOT sign an AOP, instead he should ask for a court ordered DNA test and then go from there.

Typically, what will happen is that the retro support will be paid to the state as reimbursement for the medicaid. The mother will recieve the current support unless she is collecting TANF (cash assistance).

Yes, his savings will be taken into consideration when determining the CS.

[Staceyjenkins]

Thank you Xena for getting back to me. My friend is worried that he is going to have to give his entire savings to the state and that Medicaid will put a lien on his house. How much money does Medicaid expect you to pay them? Does the mother have no financial responsibility when she starts working? He wants to take his responsibility but doesn't want to be taken for a fool. Will he have to pay back for services the pregnant mother gets? I told him to get a lawyer. What should he look for in a lawyer to make sure he is getting someone that knows the ins and outs of Medicaid.

[Xena]

Thank you Xena for getting back to me. My friend is worried that he is going to have to give his entire savings to the state and that Medicaid will put a lien on his house. How much money does Medicaid expect you to pay them? Does the mother have no financial responsibility when she starts working? He wants to take his responsibility but doesn't want to be taken for a fool. Will he have to pay back for services the pregnant mother gets? I told him to get a lawyer. What should he look for in a lawyer to make sure he is getting someone that knows the ins and outs of Medicaid.

Most family law attorneys know the laws regarding public assistance.

Your friend can start by getting a consult by calling the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-342-8011.