Quote:
Originally Posted by farkedup
I wasn't paying much without an order but yeah I paid some... gave some cash but mainly just bought her some new clothes and things like that simply because I don't ever want my kid to go without.
I had more than 4mnths in back support due as soon as they set things up and various issues with the divorce I wasn't able to make the full payments for a while so the amount owed went up even further but as it stands the order says I have to scrape up $2700 which like I said I currently have $1300 in hand and will have the other $1400 in a week but it'll make everything else REALLY tight and basically fuck up my budget for months.
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I wouldn't worry too much about it. What are they going to do? Put you in jail? I doubt it because that would make you unable to work and the kids wouldn't get anything under those circumstances!
It's very possible that the judge will sentence you to some suspended jail time under the condition that you comply with the court order in the future, including payments for arrears.
My advice is to turn yourself in, but make sure you have about $500 bucks in your pocket at the time. Offer to pay the $500 bucks towards what you owe and tell them that's all you have for now. Let them know you have more cash coming in soon and offer her another $500 from that, then request that the remaining balance be paid at 50 bucks a week until its paid in full. It will show that you are making an effort. Be sure to make them aware that you have living expenses that must be paid in order for you to survive! There is no way I would leave myself without anything to live on.
Also, even though it doesn't count towards what you owe, make sure you explain to them that you have provided financial support in the past, in the manner that you mentioned above. It will help to alleviate the dead-beat image in the eyes of the court.