How Can I Receive Back Child Support

[RTW64]

My question involves child support in the State of MA, In 2000 my wife and I divorced and agreed to 50/50 shared physical and legal cutody of our two girls (then 5&7). The children were to remain in the same school system. One month later she bought a house and moved an hour away. I have since raised them myself and initially they went to her house on weekends but as they got older they naturally wanted to do things with there friends on the weekends and didnt go there as much or in most cases not at all. I know I should have went back to court then but It was a stressful time for both the girls and myself and I didnt want to cause more problems for us. The girls mother has not contributed anything in this time. My question is now the girls want to go to college and I cant afford it. Can I legally go back in any way to try and sue her for back child support or am I on my own? Thanks

[Dogmatique]

No, you can't.

If there was an order, you could file to have it enforced. But you're not going to get child support retroactive to 2000 - it's just not going to happen.

If the girls want to go to college, let them get jobs of their own and pay their own way.

[RTW64]

Thank you for your reply. My ex has told me in the past that her aunt has left a trust fund to pay for any medical , dental or educational expenses for her , her father, and the two girls. Now one of the girls is in her first year of college, and the trust is paying for that. The other girl asked her mother for the same monetary help from the trust and her mother said no that I have to pay for it. My question is is there any legal way to make her disclose the true contents of this trust fund? I think she is lying to the second daughter.Thank you.

[Dogmatique]

Nope.

Sorry.

But essentially if the funds ARE coming from Mom's trust, why wouldn't you pay for the other daughter's college?

[RTW64]

Well I will if I have too. I just feel like she has always shown favoritism towards daughter #1 and to be honest she hasnt been part of their life at all and I guess I resent that. They missed out on a lot because of that. Daughter #2 has always been the black sheep to her mother and I dont know why. Im angry because I should have taken care of this a long time ago.
And your right, I spoiled them and they should go and put themselves through college. Thank you.

[Mr. Knowitall]

It's impossible for us to tell you from the little bit of information we have whether mom is the sole beneficiary of the trust, with it being at mom's discretion to apply funds toward her children's educations, if mom and your daughters are beneficiaries with rights under the trust, or if your daughters are beneficiaries with mom serving as trustee. It may be possible for your daughters to get more information from their mother, but it does not sound like she's going to voluntarily share that information with you.

[RTW64]

Yes, you are right. I dont know for sure either but knowing the family I can assume there is a blanket trust for my exes father first and then her and the two girls. The trust was set up by the exes fathers aunt. My ex wont sare that information. Is there any other way to find out who is in charge of the distribution of money from the trust? Thank you.