Virginia lawyer owes half-million dollars in child support

Talk about one system that needs to be revamp, it is child support.  Yes, BOTH parents need to take care of their children and neither should be punished or rewarded for taking the required responsibility. However, there needs to be a system of checks and balances because although there are some custodial parents who are “responsible” with the money they receive, there are many others who are abusing the system. For example, I know of a case where the father had terminal brain cancer (died in 2006) and was unable to work full time (finally got to a point where he could not work at all and SSI took over). Yet, child support enforcement required him to continue making the payments and his ex refused to accept a lower payment. In another case, the mother keeps getting pregnant by different guys (now has 4 children by 3 different fathers) so she can get child support. She refuses to work anywhere. So, instead of the money taking care of her kids, the money is taking care of her lazy behind!  I think that just like with SSI for a dependent child (taken care of by a guardian), mothers who receive child support should also be forced to provide a record of where the money is going. With SSI, the money cannot be used for housing, utilities and the like b/c the guardian would have housing for themselves—therefore the child would have housing. SSI requires documentation of how the money is used, which should also be a requirement for mothers who receive child support.  They must be required to provide such documentation as well as to create a savings account for the child from which only the child can take the funds once they reach a certain age.  In addition, the parent who is paying the most towards support should be the one who is allowed to carry the children for tax purposes. AND, if a parent is paying child support, they MUST be allowed to see their children. The courts should NEVER allow the custodial parent (as long as there is no improper behavior by that parent - like abuse) to keep the child away from the other parent and should render harsh punishments if they do. Too many custodial parents are abusing this system—yet, no one sees the need to change it.  If the money is truly for the care of the child, then that is the ONLY use that should be allowed. Custodial parents should not be allowed to use ANY of the money for housing, utilities and the likes.  AND for goodness sakes - why would the care of any child result in a payment of $70,000 per year? Is this type of payment really for the care of the child—or is it for the care of the mother—or is it just to punish the dad? I am sure that this father would gladly take his child and raise him/her without the assistance of the mother if he is making this kind of money—and I doubt that he would spend $70k per year on them. So, for the next seven years, let him take care of them and that should even the score.

I am sure that many people will disagree with my comments - however, ask yourself: if the money is truly for the kids, WHY would any custodial parent even want to use any of the money for their own needs? If it is for the kids, then that is who should benefit - just the kids. If the kids have a savings account, then there will be no discrepancies when they become adults and they will never be able to say to the other parent: “you NEVER did anything for me…“ as so many of them do b/c that is what they have been told all of their lives.

“Posted by ( VA Conservative ) on July 11, 2009 at 3:05 pm

Nice.  Is he a divorce lawyer?“

Whatever his field, he is a bottom feeder, scum sucker.

As my mother told me when I was in college, “Be careful with whom you lay with”

Acquaholico, I agree with you there on that.  The formula is way outdated and needs revision.  While the lawyer should have paid this child support, one has to wonder how $70k a year in child support is deemed legitimate.  It’s not meant to be a way to ensure the recipient doesn’t have to work or only work part time.

I am a single dead and not a deadbeat one.  I am in my child’s life fully and child support comes out of my check.  I don’t know how someone can get away with not paying that amount of money for so long.  But I think the system sucks in so many ways.  In Va it is solely based on salary.  So if your child’s mother does not make any loot or is a bum then guess what, the Dad is on the hook.  In my case I make pretty decent money and she didn’t.  I feel as if I am being punished for my hard work in my career while she is not encouraged to make any more money or do better.  She can basically do nothing for however long and she is going to get paid.  And if I advance again that is more loot?  Not sure if that is fair since I am a REAL dad.  But anyway I digress.  This guy should be jailed….