Skip to main content

Child Support: It's about time!!

As I was sitting there in front of the woman who was helping me, I felt a little embarrassed that it had taken me SO long to take this step. She looked down at the paper and said, “This form is so old I’m having a little trouble reading it” I just looked at her and smiled “yeah I know” then she said “How old are your kids now?”  “13 and 14” I said. As I said that, I felt proud of my boys, sad that it I had not done this for them sooner and mad that I needed to. These feelings were a little overwhelming. I was trying hard to hold back my tears, but when she looked in my eyes, I think she could see the tears trying to break free.

I finally had the information; confidence and time go down to the pro-per clinic to file for wage garnishment of child support payments. It was a good thing I went to get help because the way I was going about filing was all wrong. SO now, I am requesting a modification first then getting back pay.

I left the office feeling quite proud of myself and glad that I made the trip downtown. I was in and out in about 45 minutes. This was a lot less time than I anticipated. As I got in the car, I started to feel very relieved and peaceful. Then a song came on in the car that made me cry. Since it was a rap song, I am sure it was the tears from earlier fighting there way out because I doubt the P-ditty would have that effect on me. However, you never know.

As soon as I got back to the house, I went straight to my computer and completed the forms. It was VERY easy. I downloaded the free forms, filled them in then pressed print! I called my Mom asked her to serve the papers for me. Then I realized I never asked if there was a filing fee. So, I called the pro-per Clinic back. The clerk who answered said, “Are you getting child support services from the county” I said, “NO”, “its 40 bucks then”. Forty Bucks? I only paid $10 to file for my divorce paperwork. Forty bucks may not seam like a lot but when you pay HUNDREDS of dollars to commute to work everyday because of these OUTRAGOUS gas prices, have two teenagers that eat about $750 dollars each month, pay hundreds of dollars for medical care and have kids in your home all week for spring break, 40 bucks is something you can’t spare. So I guess it will have to wait, at least until the boys go back to school next week. Next pay day at the latest.

See links below if you live in California like me and need help getting child support payments started or enforced.
http://www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp.htm
http://www.childsup.ca.gov/Default.aspx

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Three is Perfect for ME!!!

Really it is!!! You would think that after 14 years of raising two sons by myself people would stop asking me things like; "Are you EVER going to get remarried?" "Don't you want more kids?" "Don't you get lonely?" "Don't you want to "you know" again?' " You’re pretty cute, nice, fun insert other complementary words here, why are you still single?" I think this last one may be implying that there must be something WRONG with me but I will assume people just think I am so awesome that they are amazed I haven't been snatched up. I could go on forever with the enormous list of questions people ask me, all relating to my choice to be single. Don't get me wrong, I am finally open to the idea of dating someone great IF that is what God has in store for me but he would have to be pretty freaking amazing!!!! Why? Because I LOVE my little family of three.  God blessed me with two amazi...

Weight-loss Challenge: Week FOUR Update

Week four is over. It was bitter sweet! I meet my three goals for the week. I am finally drinking 8 cups of water each day, I did more than 180 minutes of activity for the week and I am consistently keeping track of why I eat and how I feel. Despite all this good behavior, I gained 1.6 pounds . I am very disappointed. Normally at this point in my weight loss efforts I would say, “Screw it!! What’s the point? I am done!” Not this time. I made a committment to do this challenge until Christmas and I have people watching me. So I will press on. The good news is I still weigh less than I did when I started. I also feel great. I have been getting a lot of compliments on how healthy I look and a few people have noticed that I have shed a few pounds even though I don’t see it. I have read that being fully hydrated is an essential part of your weight-loss efforts but it may result in the scale going up a bit. Also building muscle may result in a leaner looking body but you may ...

Weight Loss Challenge: Week EIGHT UPDATE

For the third week in a row I have maintained my 9 pound weight-loss . This would be great if I only wanted to lose 9 pounds. The good thing here is that my daily activity and food intake are good enough to balance and maintain any additional weight-loss which means I have established some good habits. I am keeping my calories at a reasonable amount and my intake though out the day is pretty balanced. Here are some of my typical breakfast recipes . Natures Path Organic Instant oatmeal with 1 tsp. Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa= 254 Calories I was not too hungry this morning and when I wanted to eat more a few hours later I had a banana. You could easily add fruit, milk or juice to beef up this breakfast. Shakes and smoothies are a staple in my diet. They are yummy and quick!!! Here are two different recipes I use regularly: 1 cup of Almond Milk 2 scoops Visalus Shake mix (I think any protein powder will do) 1/4 cup Mixed berries (sometimes I do as much...