State is Asking for Repayment from Child Support Arrears

Is it worth my time to request a hearing?

Just how do you anticipate getting answers any other way?

Quote:

---

Quoting distressedmom

---

I met with 2 attorneys and they said I do not need to hire an attorney. So I could use some help with the questions I posted earlier.

---

You have two choices, basically.

1. Hire an attorney - I'm sure there'll be at least one who will take your money

2. Study everything you can find about your situation and make the decision yourself.

It's impossible for us to say whether or not it's worth your time to do A, B or C. That's largely why you'll receive "Get an attorney" as a (perfectly valid) response.

It seems the state is going to give OP the run around until they are forced to explain themselves. That's why I suggested an attorney.
The attorneys who told you who didn't need an attorney...did they give you any direction?

One said he never heard of the state ever asking for money back and advised me to write my representatives. Another suggested I request info from the state, and try to negotiate an afforadable payback plan..

My hearing notice included their evidence, which is a list of payments for the past 3 years. It doesn't even show that I got the money and they took it back. They said I could not get any more information due to privacy laws. So I am not able to see the request from the agency that gave me, and then took away the money.

Request a hearing. In the meantime, study as many cases of this nature in your state as you can. (ask the librarians at your local law library for direction; they can often be quite helpful.)

Good luck.

Quote:

---

Quoting distressedmom

---

One said he never heard of the state ever asking for money back and advised me to write my representatives. Another suggested I request info from the state, and try to negotiate an afforadable payback plan..

My hearing notice included their evidence, which is a list of payments for the past 3 years. It doesn't even show that I got the money and they took it back. They said I could not get any more information due to privacy laws. So I am not able to see the request from the agency that gave me, and then took away the money.

---

To be perfectly honest, I also think you're getting the runaround. It's not fair, it's not right but it unfortunately happens too bloody often.

Believe me, I get your frustration. You're in the right, legally, and you're doing nothing wrong whatsoever. But who gets the short end of the stick?

You do. I'm sorry I can't really think of anything productive you can do except what Christina suggested, or keep on at them. Or both.

Thanks to everyone who tried to help!

I have a hearing date set. I will check out the law library for certain and then try to prepare my best arguements.

Update:

I spoke to many board certified family law attorneys. All of them with many years of experience. None of them ever heard of such a situation. They did not feel qualified to represent me, or I would have to pay huge retainers so they could research the issue. They all told me to go ahead with the hearing.

The hearing was this week. They provided no additional evidence. There were staff members to explain how the process works. The decision will be out in a few weeks.

Why exactly did they say you need to pay the money back? Someone surely asked them that in a straight forward manner, right?

they said it was if I was given a check that bounced.