Change On Federal Benefits Payments Could Leave Child Support Debtors With No Income

[schmice]

12. It isn't always a clear cut issue.

I agree that deadbeat dads should be gone after, however, there are cases when some of these dads just cannot afford to even if they wanted to. Many men are working minimum wage jobs which do not leave them enough money to pay their rent and food. Many pay what they can but it still isn't enough to pay the court ordered amount. In California, if you are in arrears, the D.A.'s office can suspend any and all licenses you have, such as a driver's license contractor's license etc. If you can't legally drive, how can you get to work in order to earn money to support yourself and pay your legal obligations. Say for example that you get $1000 a month (to make the math easier for me) and they take 65% of that, it leaves you with $350 with which you have to make rent, utilities and food. Take that away, and you are left with...what?

Every parent has a moral obligation and legal duty to support their children. I have no quarrel with that. When you are living at the very lowest rung of society, it is often impossible. There are many fathers who try their best but just can't scrape up the entire amount. If they are disabled it only gets worse.

There is no simple formula that can be applied to all cases. Getting a modification isn't as easy as it sounds, either. (Before anybody thinks that I am in that situation and making excuses for myself, I assure you that I am not. I'm married and going through hard times paying for college educations for my kids.)