Unable to pay child support, poor parents land behind bars

[sandmangeck]

“And I think anyone who went down and watched one of these proceedings would agree with me. … You see a room full of indigent parents — most of them African-American — and you have a judge and attorney general, both of whom are white. The hearings often take only 15 seconds. The judge asks, ‘Do you have any money to pay?’ the person pleads and the judge says, ‘OK you’re going to jail,’” she added.



Unable to pay child support, poor parents jailed - US news - Crime & courts - msnbc.com

Not sure what the african-american part has to do with the substance of the article.....but.....interesting read anyway.

[jmattbassplaya]

There are plenty of parents who could pay their child support but don't, and many (I'd dare say most) don't end up going to jail.

[Clark Dark]

...suppose the (either) parent was gainfully employed and payments were up to date before the economy plunged. Does that make them deadbeats ? If they love the children and supported them until things beyond their control went into effect did they need to wear helmits and be required to forecast the future ?

[sandmangeck]

Originally Posted by Clark Dark

... did they need to wear helmits and be required to forecast the future ?

What?

[colcifer]

Bummers.

[hover]

Yur helmit...I haz it.

[fdeck]

The law of unintended consequences even applies to the seemingly sensible idea of holding people responsible for their own mistakes.

[Mooch]

Don't feel a bit sorry for anyone who doesn't support their kids white, black, brown, purple, pink, green! My wife deals with an ex who owes his kids over 10 g's. We work, pay our bills, don't abuse the system, don't complain about our race or anyone elses. While this guy lives in a house his late grandfather gifted him, hasn't work in 2 years, and just finally is going to jail for being in contempt of a court order.

Do I get and tax break for raising his kids for him. While I love them to death it doesn't go both ways, I support them and don't ask for a thing, I go above and beyond and he does nothing. Him and everyone else like him can rot for all I care!

[sandmangeck]

Originally Posted by fdeck

The law of unintended consequences even applies to the seemingly sensible idea of holding people responsible for their own mistakes.

+1

[Munjibunga]

So do they give the white deadbeats a sandwich and send them home?

Originally Posted by sandmangeck

“And I think anyone who went down and watched one of these proceedings would agree with me. … You see a room full of indigent parents — most of them African-American — and you have a judge and attorney general, both of whom are white. The hearings often take only 15 seconds. The judge asks, ‘Do you have any money to pay?’ the person pleads and the judge says, ‘OK you’re going to jail,’” she added.



Unable to pay child support, poor parents jailed - US news - Crime & courts - msnbc.com

[nutdog]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

So do they give the white deadbeats a sandwich and send them home?

Didn't you watch the video? They make them pick watermelons.

[Chebass88]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

So do they give the white deadbeats a sandwich and send them home?

Apparently, since this was the most important bit of the article...

[colcifer]

Originally Posted by Mooch

Don't feel a bit sorry for anyone who doesn't support their kids white, black, brown, purple, pink, green! My wife deals with an ex who owes his kids over 10 g's. We work, pay our bills, don't abuse the system, don't complain about our race or anyone elses. While this guy lives in a house his late grandfather gifted him, hasn't work in 2 years, and just finally is going to jail for being in contempt of a court order.

Do I get and tax break for raising his kids for him. While I love them to death it doesn't go both ways, I support them and don't ask for a thing, I go above and beyond and he does nothing. Him and everyone else like him can rot for all I care!

Why are you called
Mooch, then?

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by nutdog

Didn't you watch the video? They make them pick watermelons.

Mea culpa. I'm confused. I don't see why the quote regarding African Americans. Deadbeats are deadbeats. I don't believe any of them should go to jail for it, though. Work programs would be better. Maybe something like picking watermelons.

[sandmangeck]

I quoted the african american part because I thought it was strange they would say that in the article. Sorry for not being clearer on it.

[jonathan_matos5]

the ex has to contact the DA either herself or via an attorney to say that the other ex is not paying child support. i imagine if they two ended the relationship civilly then communication of a lack of job and arrangements to pay past due child support could be made without a court hearing or even a moderation with an attorney. also in a life change such as a change in career or being laid off a custody court or i imagine even just a refiling of forms would change the amount of child support to be paid. it is unfortunate for the individual having to serve time but in reality their own fault for defaulting on their payments.

[Longhair]

Here is the question nobody seems to be asking:

If these people are unable to afford paying child support, then why did they have a child (or children) in the first place?

As far as the parents that hide money from their ex, a way to prevent that is to set up a type of trust in the child's name. Provide monthly detailed receipts to an officer of the court showing that the child support is actually going to the child (or children) instead of the ex's lifestyle. Random visits to verify that money spent on shoes, for example, would also prevent fraud.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by sandmangeck

I quoted the african american part because I thought it was strange they would say that in the article. Sorry for not being clearer on it.

Cool. Thanks for the clarification.

[Lonesomedave]

Originally Posted by Longhair

Here is the question nobody seems to be asking:

If these people are unable to afford paying child support, then why did they have a child (or children) in the first place?

As far as the parents that hide money from their ex, a way to prevent that is to set up a type of trust in the child's name. Provide monthly detailed receipts to an officer of the court showing that the child support is actually going to the child (or children) instead of the ex's lifestyle. Random visits to verify that money spent on shoes, for example, would also prevent fraud.

in Tennessee that would NOT work (don't know about other states). in tn, you have an obligation to pay support directly to whoever has custody of the child (usually, the other parent will be the "custodial" parent)

you can't say "But she wastes it on her lifestyle instead of taking care of the kid"

the court would say 1) well, the kids are still better off if she had that money than if she didn't & 2) if you think the situation is that bad, bring a Petition for change of custody and then SHE will owe you child support.

[MakiSupaStar]