Missouri Child Support Arrears

[skitch]

My question involves child support in the State of: Missouri

Ok here's my situation. I have a daughter that lives with her mother. 10 years ago when the original child support order was established I made the first payment to the state and she sent it back to me stating she wanted nothing to do with me at all no money nothing. Coming from a family of divorce myself in which both my parents used me and my brother as weapons against the other I wanted to be no part of causing that type of situation with a child so I agreed but she would have to go to the Department of Social Services (DSS) and take care of it. She sent a letter that I do not have a copy of to the DSS and I no longer received anything from them. Now 10 years later I receive a letter from the DSS that says I need to start paying child support (no biggie if my girl needs it I will pay). The next day I receive a letter saying I owe 32k in arrears for these past 10 years. I call the DSS and the lady told me that the original child support order enforcement was stopped in 2002 and that is was administrative and not judicial so the arrears should not be there as no money is owed to the state because she was never on any public aid. She sent information about this off to their Division of Enforcement. Their reply was that the letter she (the mother) sent to the DSS was that she did not want the support enforced but she never stated that she did not want the money so the arrears accumulated.

Ok my 3 questions:
1) I have requested a copy of the letter that the mother sent to DSS. Do they have to send me a copy of it?

2) Do I have any legal grounds to dispute the arrears based on the letter if no money is owed to the state?

3) I would like to at least know my daughter and if she insists on child support I would like to at least get some visitation. Even if 1 week in the summer just so she at least knows who I am. If the arrears are established as accurate would I still have grounds to attempt a minor visitation order?

[LawResearcherMissy]

1) You can ask, but I don't think they're required to send it to you.

2) Possibly. You should consult an attorney in your area.

3) Support and visitation are two entirely separate issues. Assuming your paternity was legally established, you have ALWAYS had grounds to seek visitation. When you do, prepare to explain to the judge why you've waited ten years to do so.