My question involves child support in the State of: FLORIDA
I have recently discovered that, without being notified, and as of June 2010, my child support payments have been decreased to $20 each (twice a month). They were $287.96 (twice a month to help with the arrears) -- part of it is child support and part of it is alimony.
My son completed high school in June and I know that child support payments stop accruing once he finishes high school and/or turns 18. That's not the issue.
The issue is that $40 a month is a ridiculous amount to pay when my ex is in arrears of $11,604.50.
My ex has since we were divorced been willfully unemployed, willfully withheld income, and willfully withheld employment status. He is well-educated and has the potential to earn a minimum of $50,000 a year.
He was ordered to pay child support and alimony, as well as ordered to pay for all uninsured medical, dental, and psychological costs of my son. He has not done so. I have done this without any help from him. Because I was not expected to work while we were married but to keep house and look after the children, I never learned to drive. He was ordered to pay for my driving lessons as well. I still rely on my eldest son and future daughter-in-law to pick me up and drive me to and from work. I've been unable to take lessons because I've always had to work.
My questions:
- Can I get an order to have my ex pay more than $40 a month since there is so much arrearage? (At this payment rate, it would take him 24 years to pay back the arrearage).
- Instead of having my ex pay for my driving lessons, can this be applied to my youngest son (the one he's paying arrears for)?
Thank you!
Lucy