How to Take Care of Child Support Arrears

My question involves a child custody case from the State of: FL

In my past, I've struggled personally and financially. I am more stable now and want to do the right thing, but am at a loss as to where to begin.

Our daughter is now 18. I haven't contacted, or been contacted by CP in roughly 8 yrs. To my knowledge, she's not received state assistance. Nor, have I been contacted by the state. Whatever support I paid in the past, went directly to CP. I made almost every mistake along the way, and want to handle this as best I can for the three of us. Thank you in advance.

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Quoting helpsparky

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My question involves a child custody case from the State of: FL

In my past, I've struggled personally and financially. I am more stable now and want to do the right thing, but am at a loss as to where to begin.

Our daughter is now 18. I haven't contacted, or been contacted by CP in roughly 8 yrs. To my knowledge, she's not received state assistance. Nor, have I been contacted by the state. Whatever support I paid in the past, went directly to CP. I made almost every mistake along the way, and want to handle this as best I can for the three of us. Thank you in advance.

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Your first step would be to attempt to negotiate a settlement with your child's mother.

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Quoting llworking

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Your first step would be to attempt to negotiate a settlement with your child's mother.

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To be clear, would I be better contacting her directly, through a mediator, or an attorney? Once we reach an agreement, and I am paying or paid that amount, how would I protect myself from further action?

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Quoting helpsparky

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To be clear, would I be better contacting her directly, through a mediator, or an attorney? Once we reach an agreement, and I am paying or paid that amount, how would I protect myself from further action?

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It would be best to do it through an attorney if you want to make sure that you are fully protected from further action.

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Quoting helpsparky

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My question involves a child custody case from the State of: FL

In my past, I've struggled personally and financially. I am more stable now and want to do the right thing, but am at a loss as to where to begin.

Our daughter is now 18. I haven't contacted, or been contacted by CP in roughly 8 yrs. To my knowledge, she's not received state assistance. Nor, have I been contacted by the state. Whatever support I paid in the past, went directly to CP. I made almost every mistake along the way, and want to handle this as best I can for the three of us. Thank you in advance.

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Did you have a child support order through the state? If you paid directly to her unless she told the state, they don't count it. As suggested get an attorney and try to get her to negotiate something. Because if she hasn't reported to the state that you paid her child support directly you might be in arrears.

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Quoting qwaspolk69

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Did you have a child support order through the state? If you paid directly to her unless she told the state, they don't count it. As suggested get an attorney and try to get her to negotiate something. Because if she hasn't reported to the state that you paid her child support directly you might be in arrears.

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The CS was part of the divorce agreement, but the state was never involved to my knowledge. I was never told to pay the state agency, it was always paid directly to her with personal check or money order. I don't believe it matters, but she was deported about 5 yrs after the divorce. Our daughter relocated with her, with my permission. Thank you for your replies.