Ex-husband is 4 months in rears for child support. How can I get support? He is out of work, does not file income tax. What can I do?
by 
Anonymous
ANSWERS: 3
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Most states have a system of welfare where it is basically a 'loan' against the state coffers that the parent who pays child support will, eventually, have to back back. Since he is out of work he most likely can not pay (not unwilling, just unable) so the state may 'work a deal' with him if you do go for aid for families with dependent children (or welfare). Call your counties public services agencies and see what options you have.
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Contact the criminal investigation bureau of your state's department of revenue; if he owes state income tax, they can go after him criminally. (But, if he is owed a refund, they won't mess with it.) You can also contact the criminal investigation bureau of the IRS. They can file liens against his bank accounts, and take his vehicles, etc. The point is, if he gets letters from these agencies, he may file for his refunds, which should be intercepted by child support enforcement and then given to you. And, if he owes, he is going to have to get a job to pay it off, or go to jail.
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The answer depends on the state you're in and whether child support was court ordered. If a court ordered it and he's not following the order, he can be held in contempt and in a lot of cases he can be incarcerated until he pays. Also, there are federal rules regarding collection of child support arrears. Usually the state tax authority will have a department for child support enforcement, and in many cases, that department will have its own attorneys to help you pursue collections. Once you've gotten on their radar, they can do all kinds of other things like levy bank accounts, intercept tax refunds (tho it sounds like that might not be much help for you), snatch up lottery winnings, and revoke his driver's license. If you were in Massachusetts I could give you exact instructions (and even represent you).
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