Court Pixie dust needed! UPDATED About This Page:

[graygables]

I go to court this afternoon to give my child support "issues" one final shot in the appeals process. I'm worried that ex will be there (although he never showed up for anything else unless "compelled" by the court), I'm worried that I'll sound like a blithering idiot and not get my points across (no attorney), and, of course, I'm worried that the judge will not grant my request. I know I worry too much, but today is worth $10,000 over 2 years, which would make my DDs lives much easier.



The long story short is that ex agreed to support *both* children until the *youngest* turned 18 (it's in the original decree) and the child support agency says he doesn't have to support the oldest anymore b/c she is 18 and graduated and the new jurisdiction (we moved) basically overrides the original decree. This is the same child support agency that took well over a year to finish my request for an increase, which, by regulation, should only take 45 days (I didn't know you could ask for one; ex had been grossly underpaying for years! ) because they kept making mistake after mistake after mistake. When all is said and done, a letter to my senator will be in order!



Thanks for any I'm a nervous wreck!

[Grammy Grumpy]

Best wishes and lots of for court.

[BritDisFan]

Sending loads of your way Dawn.

Karen

[FanOfMickey]

Sending lots of pixie dust your way!!

[OffKilter_Lynn]

Good luck, Dawn! Wishing you (and your DD's) well!

[maggieworkman]

Here is some pixie dust for you.

I'm sorry you have to go through this.

Maye if you are afraid of coming across as a "blithering fool" that you should write down your main points in as concise a fashion as possible. That way, even if you are nervous, you can just read off of your paper.

Maggie

[Colexis Mom]

Sending you lots of pixie Dawn

[wdwlovers]

GOod luck Dawn!!! Hope you have a great judge this afternoon! Let us know how things went!

[kaymeg]

Lots and LOTS of for you!! Take a deep breath!! You will be in my thoughts today!! Hope everything goes in your favor!!

[buckysmom]

Lots and lots of for an understanding judge (maybe a Mom!).

[graygables]

Well, once again, the rights of the victims are trodden upon. Went to court, got a grump of a magistrate whom I could hear discussing my case with the prosecuter before-hand, so he had made his decision before I walked in the room. I presented myself well, but was told that "the language of the law is often misinterpreted by laymen" and the term "both children" actually meant each child. As an English teacher, I objected to that interpretation, but it didn't help. He also said that there's not much he could do right now anyway b/c of some 2003 updates to the Soldiers and Sailors relief act of 1940 that bascially protects servicemembers, guilty or not, from all kinds of prosecution.

So, to sum up, my ex got away with molesting my daughter and doesn't have to pay either financially or legally. One positive, since the new court order nullifies any old agreements, I get to claim DD on taxes until she turns 18, so that helps some.

Thanks for all the pixie dust...it really helped and I know I did the best that I could do (being a "layman" and all )

[chezp]

Dawn, I'm sorry to hear that. We have a saying over here, I don't know if you do as well - "the law is an ass". That sounds true in this case.

[Jaya]

Dawn, I'm so sorry to hear it didn't go perfect for you. I had to deal about 10 years ago now with a father much like your ex sounds; luckily, my mother was able to go to court and, without my father even being present, have them garnish his wages to pay for his back support (it was only about $2500, though, and he never paid late again).

It sounds like you probably don't have the money to go hiring a lawyer, but if I were you I'd look into contacting the bar association. They often provide low-cost and free legal aid to people who cannot afford it. You also might consider inquiring about a little charity from some local lawyers who specialize in that kind of thing - some of them will take on pro bono work.

Just remember never to feel guilty about asking for help: You're not doing this for you, you are doing it for your daughters. If men want to make babies, then they have to take care of those babies, no matter what! You and your daughters will be in my prayers!

[snoozy]

[goofy4goofy]

I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I'm sending you a ton of pixie dust. Please hang in there. You are such a strong woman, and a terrific mother.

Kelly