I have 2 children from a Florida marriage. When we divorced the father never started paying child support. For years, he didn't and the State didn't do anything. Eventually, I hired a private investigator (a friend) and a process server and took him to court. He said he would start paying (at that point he owed over $20,000.00) so the judge let him go. She explained that, if she jailed him then he certainly wouldn't be able to pay would he? So, I never saw a dime. Years later, I sat in a parking lot waiting for days until he showed up and was finally arrested. I gave the officers his picture. He said it wasn't him and gave them a fake ID, they started to leave but a friend of mine who was nearby stopped them, saying 'That's him'.
I have no doubt that, had the officers left to confirm his identity with me, he would not have been there when they returned. He owed $45,000 and paid $2,000 to get out of jail. His parents hired an attorney, who disputed the amount the record showed. To be finished quickly, I just let that $35,000.00 go. I'll never see it. Years later, he owes, I don't know $70,000? Who knows. I'll never see it and Florida doesn't care. I wonder how he can pay an attorney but not child support.
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