,,, indeed I was. Older and wiser now though - and surprisingly good looking for the pimple episode. I pay child support and have never missed. I was kicked out in Dec 1994 as she decided she would rather live with my Dad. I've told this story before here on FR. I ate 2 minute noodles as I came out with only $35 and a credit card. I had my clothes, some books and little else. She got the $330k house, the Volvos and a lot of other assets. I was able to start again because the half wit I had was more than enough and I used it.
Just as a matter of interest, I started my own business and at the end of the last tax year gross profit was 47% of turnover. Airlines regarded as healthy may be doing 2 - 3%. Child support can't take any of that. You see, as much as the system has used me, I've learned to use it. I can fully relate to how the system serves lawyers primarily and how legislation ties up men who, in good faith are under the impression they're doing their best or the right thing, only to be dumped on their arses by a system that's having this effect.
Roger Gay may be called a sensationalist for posting this particular thread but would you have really clocked into it if it said "Joe average didn't get violent - keeps paying child support"? This is an illustration of the desperation the system can force some people to.
Kudos!
Hip Hip HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dude, you have just really warmed the cockles of me 'art with that little tale 'o joy!
But not you and not me and not millions of others. I've been through it too and like you I pride myself in staying current on child support.
Some don't show up for hearings and then cry like hell when they get bit hard. They don't correct the mistakes that may have been made by the court because of their absence. These guys/gals moan the loudest and then go underground, working for cash and losing contact with their kids. Child support is a temporary cost but can cause permanent damage to a parent/child relationship if the parents do not act responsibly. The horror stories usually only occur when the paying parent neglects repeated payments. They accumulate a large balance that is subject to compound interest. It's all downhill from there.
The rules were in place before we took our respective plunges into fatherhood and we knew the perils. Everybody did. We had choices, keep it zipped, have 'em snipped or take our chances. If you decide to take your chances whining about the outcome is not allowed.
As for the non-custodial parents who are driven over the edge. They need tough doses of reality, they are slackers. It looks to me like this thread is attempting to give license to those who would forsake their own kids interests so that they may portray themselves as victims.