I went through a particularly acrimonious divorce. My ex got custody of our 1 year old daughter. After the divorce, she refused to let me see our girl. I'd withhold child support. I'd get arrested and taken to jail (5 times). She'd begin to let me see our child, but begin withholding visitation over and over. I finally gave up even trying. Didn't have the money to fight her. About 2 years after the divorce, she called and said she was going to re-marry, her new husband loved our daughter, wanted to adopt her. I signed away my parental rights so the adoption could take place, and I ceased paying child support.
As an aside, for my daughter's well-being, at the time of the divorce, I took no interest in the family home, our cars, furniture, appliances, electronics. I left everything intact and walked out with a suitcase.
Thirteen years went by. I got a notice from Texas child support enforcement last year saying I was $50,000 behind in child support (that's with penalties and interest. ) I called my ex and asked her what was up. She said she and her husband had divorced, she'd never filed the surrender, nor had the child ever been adopted, she was broke, and pay the money. My wages are now being garnished, with support enforcement taking 30% of what I make.
It has taken a year to get a hearing before a support mediator, which is coming up in two weeks. My daughter is now 21. Any suggestions on what I can best do? The only evidence I have of the surrender is a letter written to me by my daughter talking about how her mother had told her I'd surrendered my rights, and her also taking about how she had chosen not to take her stepfather's last name. (Which, to my thinking, implies she'd been told she was adopted). Do you think I can at least ask for an offset of monies owed considering I took no interest in the community property at the time of the divorce? Help.

