DadsDivorce.com provides essential information and resources about divorce, alimony, child support and child custody to men and fathers at any stage of divorce.

Question:

I have been divorced for 16 years and pay $800 a month for child support. I just realized I have been paying too much. I write my "x" a $400 check every two weeks when I get paid and have been doing that since day one and never missed a single payment. The problem is I should only be paying $9,600 a year and have been paying $10,400 a year.

I have 5 months left until I am done with payments due to my daughter graduating high school. I know if I were paying too little I would have to make it up in arrears. I want to get that overpayment back. Can I do that?

Question:

In 2002 I was approached by a man stating that his daughter could possibly be my daughter. I then searched this mother and daughter down and ordered a DNA test.  The child is 13 yrs of age at this time. Results came back that I was the father.

I then tried to build a relationship with this child by spending countless hours with her. I also gave the child and her mother money and support. Then in 2006 the other guy filed to vacate child support that he was ordered to pay since 1990. I signed acknowledgement of paternity in 2006. I was then ordered to pay support back until date of DNA results 2002. This shows me in arrears and they recently froze my bank account. The arrears add up to $18,000 plus interest. The child is now 20yrs old and has two kids. She now lives in public housing away from her mother but yet I'm still paying the mom.

It's not that I was or am trying to get out of helping the child out, but had I known this from the start I wouldn't be in this predicament. It's not my fault that this woman couldn't or didn't want to figure out who the father was.  Any advice?

Question:

When my ex-wife and I divorced we were awarded 50/50 custody and I was to provide $25/wk child support in good faith as we both made $70/k per year.

In that time I have always provided whatever is necessary for my son when he is with me. During the last year my ex has quit her job making $70K and took on a part time job which she lost as well a couple months back.

She is now taking me back to court to modify the child support because she has chosen not to go back to work full time. She has a part time job at Jimmy John's. Based on her decision to not work full time is it my responsibility to now be forced to pay more child support even though I have my son 50% of the time?

My son is going to be 13 in May and is in the 7th grade. I know for a fact it is due to her alcoholism and I am frustrated at the fact that I don't mind paying for whatever my son needs when he is with me however it was my ex's choice to change her life. While we were married she worked 80+ hours a week, but maybe that was because she was having an affair with her boss. I just want to know if it is now up to me to supplement her financially.