My question involves child support in the State of: Illinois

Hi,

Around 5-6 years ago things started going downhill rather quickly for me. Mainly, I had a significant drop in pay. I know now that what I should have done was to go back to court and get my child support payments re-adjusted to be in line with my income. Unfortunately, I didn't do that. Instead, I continued to make the initial payments (even going into debt to do so) until I eventually wound up in critical financial shape. Eventually, I could no longer keep up the payments and my ex finally understood that you can't get blood from a rock. We have always tried to remain amicable. We verbally agreed that I'd give her what I could, when I could. But... I guess I'm still going to owe her the money, which leads me to my question...

I realize I have, and always had, a responsibility to support my kids. I did everything I could do and gave every her every penny I could when I had it. My oldest has been 18 for almost a year now and my youngest will be 18 in 6 months. The fact is, I have nothing and own nothing while she lives in a nice house (my old house) and is re-married. I'm not at all spiteful. I'm happy for her and my kids. But I'm not even making a good enough wage to support myself. I should have went to court when my income status changed, but I didn't. Am I now going to owe her money for the rest of my life? If she takes me to court for the money I owe her, is there ANY chance a judge will look at my tax returns and rule that my income didn't justify what I was paying her for the majority of those years? I'm just curious if I have any recourse at all. I'd really appreciate any advice. Thanks.