There are many responsibilities that come with having children. These responsibilities do not end just because a parent no longer has custody of his or her children. Usually noncustodial parents are still required to pay child support to help the custodial parent care for the children. It is against the law to avoid paying court-ordered child support in Texas or elsewhere. Failing to pay required support for one’s children can result in legal issues which typically have to be answered in court.
One man is being forced to answer for his failure to pay support for his children in a recent family law case. Astoundingly, the man reportedly has at least 25 children from 15 different women. The mothers claim that the man has not been paying the court-ordered amount of child support. They claim the man was paying less than $10 per month, but eventually the payments completely stopped coming.
Allegedly, while the man was not paying support for his children, he posted a picture on Facebook of himself posing in front of a large stack of $100 bills. However, in court, he is said to have presented a different image, showing up to his court hearings in ragged attire. The man also claims to have no income and no assets. At the moment, the man apparently owes tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid child support.
This case shows how important it is to make sure required child support payments are manageable. If support payments become too burdensome due to a substantial change in financial circumstances, then it is important to file a petition with the court that seeks to modify child support requirements. In Texas, this will require a significant amount of paperwork, as well as, knowledge of the local court rules. Additionally, one should be as well-informed about applicable laws and regulations as possible.
Source: wtvr.com, “Deadbeat dad with 25 kids still isn’t paying child support,” James Jobes, Nov. 9, 2012