Q:                                Can I get child support if I’m living with the father?

Deadbeat Hunter Says:  That depends.  First and foremost keep in mind that only the court can dissolve a child support order.  So just because you and the other parent decide that the child support order is no longer wanted (perhaps because you have gotten back together)  you still have to make your application to the court for it to go away.  On the same note, the other parent cannot simply decide on his own to stop paying.  So if you get back together after a separation the order will still apply.  That being said a fuss could be made about it when you do finally make it to court so before you decide to live together decide whether you will be staying together.  And please don’t let him run a game on you just so that you stop the order… and allow him to skip town…state…or country and leave you in the lurch… without a child support order from the court.

Q:                                Can I get child support if we’re separated?

Deadbeat Hunter Says: Absolutely.  You can file for child support on your own at your local family court.  You do not need an attorney.  You may also be able to get a temporary order for spousal support.  Before you run down and file though… be sure to arm yourself with the necessary information.  Know what your rights are beyond the basic child support obligation which is all the local family court will give you unless you ask for more.  It may be helpful for you to read: “Deadbeats, What Responsible Parents Need to Know About Collecting Child Support” by Simone Spence.  It covers all of this and lots more.  Available in soft cover for $19.98 or get the E-Book immediate download for $14.98. Copy and paste this link into your browser for a for more information: http://www.dontgetmadgetpaid.com/product/123

Q:                                Is support retroactive from the date of separation?

Deadbeat Hunter Says: Support is only retroactive to the date that a support order is requested.  If you wait for a few months before filing for child support then you are not entitled to any money for those months.  Therefore, filing for a support order immediately is your best strategic bet.  If you are not sure whether your separation is going to be permanent or not it is in your best interest and in the best interest of any children concerned to get the support order in place in preparation for the long haul.  The order can always be dissolved by the court – at your request – later on if you and he decide to reconcile.  Bills have a habit of piling up rather quickly and it’s only fair that both of you contribute to the kids well-being.  Remember that you do not need an attorney to file for a support order.  You just need to be informed and know the rules of the game – and how to play it effectively.

Q:                    Can an informal agreement during separation be enforced?

Deadbeat Hunter Says: No. No. And… absolutely not.  An informal agreement is only worth the paper which it is printed on.  It doesn’t exist – not as far as the courts are concerned.  And I guarantee you – if you wind up in court and you say “Your Honor, he agreed to pay me $100 per week”, and the Judge looks at him and asks him if he agreed to that, he’d say “No, I didn’t agree to anything at all”.  Now to be fair – there are plenty of Dads that would never need a court of law to tell them to support their children and how to do so.  For the other ones however, … the ones that need the checks to be ripped from their bloody lifeless fingers… they need to be told how much and how often and sometimes they need the checks ripped from their fingers.  If you any thought, hint or suggestion of doubt about whether the payor will be honorable, leave nothing to chance and get an order from the court.  Signed, sealed, delivered, …the money is yours.