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Man forced to pay child support for 20-something children

On Behalf of | Apr 18, 2014 | Uncategorized

For many Houston residents, the requirement to pay child support for some period of time is part of their post-divorce world. Even if child custody is shared, child support payments may be ordered from one parent to the other. The amount of money or duration of payments varies based upon income and other factors and is intended to provide a life that is in the best interests of the child or children involved.

Sometimes, extenuating circumstances exist that may change what a person believes to be the agreement regarding child support. Such is the case today for one man who lives in Pierre, South Dakota. The man and his then-wife moved to Canada where they later divorced. He has since returned to the United States. The couple have two children together—a 22-year old son who is in graduate school and a 20-year old daughter who lives at home with her mother.

According to a media report, the man faithfully made all of his child support payments on time between 1997 and December of 2012. He ceased making payments at that time because his children were then over the age of 18 and he believed the obligation was complete. In October of 2013, however, he received a demand from the South Dakota Department of Social Services saying he owed back child support. The demand is based upon Canadian law which does not provide an end date for child support payments, regardless of the age of the children.

Situations like these can arise when least expected. Working with a family law attorney when going through a divorce may be able to help prevent such surprises down the road.

Source: Rapid City Journal, “Pierre man protests paying perpetual child support,” Joe O’Sullivan, April 5, 2014

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