What happens if a child support obligation is paid off before the child is 18 years of age?
I am by far not a pro at child support in other states than the one that I live in (and even then, I wouldn’t say pro for my state) however most child support is based on a calculation of both parents income vs. obligation. Most states don’t end child support at 18 unless they have graduated-if they continue through college it could be as old as 22. Child support usually won’t change states unless both parents have moved to a different state, some states won’t even change counties unless both parties have moved. You may need to contact the court that the original order was madated through.
Messing around with more than one state can be tricky. It sounds to me like mom & son live in TX & you live in OR?? Since you said that TX set up the child support, TX is the state that really holds all the power over this order & OR is merely acting as middle man to collect and send in the checks. Or it could be the other way around, I can’t really tell by your wording. Whoever started the order holds jurisdiction, until there is a court petition to move the order to another state when everyone involved moves out of the originaly state. So, since I am assuming TX holds jurisdiction, they are the ones that need to be contacted and dealt with. Find your original or most recent support calculation if there was ever a review. That will have the monthly/yearly obligation on it. Then you have to find all your paystubs or bank statements or whatever proof you have to show how much was paid & when. Then you have to prove & show to them that you have way overpaid. Normally they won’t return ov
I started calling the child support division two months before to let them know he is turning 18 or when your judgements says “please notify my employer to stop payments” Also talk to your payroll person at your work to let them know this stop notice is coming. Make sure the child support division know where to send it. If you do overpay, they should return it in a couple of months, unless you have other judgements or unpaid taxes. $68 a month for two years is pretty cheap. I don’t think I would want to raise any flags. Just go with the flow……… Are you sure you won’t be paying for this long after he is 18.
If you pay off your obligation, it is paid off. You have fulfilled what the court has mandated. You could petition for a financial hardship citing your existing family. The court will have to look at the totality of the circumstance. Google Legal Aid for fathers in your neck of the woods…the legal advice is free and they will get you on your way.
It sounds to me like the 14 thousand was back support and now you have an obligation of $68 a month until he’s 18. However, I want to say that I find your comment, “I have my own family” really offensive. That boy is your family also. It’s not his fault that you and his mother were irresponsible. Instead of worrying so much about money how about spending some time worrying about all the lost time you have with your son?
