Stimulus checks?

[o_tacodawg]

I hate to sound desperate for information here but I am. Last year I owed around $600 in child support arrearages while having joint custody of my son. I paid them off with my 2019 taxes and have been on time ever since- my weekly check is garnished so no way I’m not on time. I’ve had my son full time since October- mother pretty much abandoned him after her divorce and we’ve yet to go back to court to amend our custody order. Lawyers are not in my budget right now. I’ve been put out of work since March 12th by my doctor and am accumulating back pay again with no income.

My loss time insurance is paying me $200 a week while I’m out and I’ve had to defer every bill possible- while having my son full time, so that money goes to groceries and what’s left over I pay on my bills so they aren’t so large at the end of this all.

My question is, does anyone know if I still qualify for the stimulus check even though I owed child support last year? $1,200 ain’t much but in times like these, it’d sure help.

Thanks in advance for any helpful information- can’t find any concrete info anywhere.

 

[11thEagleFan]

Your stimulus reward is based on your 2018 tax return. I wouldn’t think a child support arrearage would have anything to do with it.

 

[BigMotherTucker]

If you are in the clear from that $600 you owed, then you will be getting the Trump check. I'm sorry you're having such a tough go at it.

 

[BigMotherTucker]

Well.. If you owe back child support, it will affect you. But taco says he got that squared up... He'll get the full check.

 

[Ralph Cramden]

Not since you have paid it up in full. Child support is being held out if it is owed.

 

[GTAdawg]

Unless you have already filed 2019 also. Then it goes to 2019.

 

[GTAdawg]

Good luck, man. Hate to hear about your rough patch.

 

[johnson86-1]

I hate to sound desperate for information here but I am. Last year I owed around $600 in child support arrearages while having joint custody of my son. I paid them off with my 2019 taxes and have been on time ever since- my weekly check is garnished so no way I’m not on time. I’ve had my son full time since October- mother pretty much abandoned him after her divorce and we’ve yet to go back to court to amend our custody order. Lawyers are not in my budget right now. I’ve been put out of work since March 12th by my doctor and am accumulating back pay again with no income.

My loss time insurance is paying me $200 a week while I’m out and I’ve had to defer every bill possible- while having my son full time, so that money goes to groceries and what’s left over I pay on my bills so they aren’t so large at the end of this all.

My question is, does anyone know if I still qualify for the stimulus check even though I owed child support last year? $1,200 ain’t much but in times like these, it’d sure help.

Thanks in advance for any helpful information- can’t find any concrete info anywhere.

What do you mean by accumulating back pay? Do you mean you are running up child support owed to a mother who no longer has even part time custody? Or do you mean you are working again but just not getting paid timely?

 

[Go Budaw]

Your stimulus reward is based on your 2018 tax return. I wouldn’t think a child support arrearage would have anything to do with it.

Small correction, its only based on your 2018 return if you hadn’t filed your 2019 before the package was approved. Otherwise its based on 2019 return.

 

[Maroonthirteen]

Is your child support garnished by MDHS? If so, you should have a case worker. You need to talk to me immediately and tell them you have primary physical custody now. They can stop the garnishment.

since your check is being garnished, I assume you are current on support payments. So you will get your full
check.

 

[WrapItDog]

You should be able to check the status of your payment by Friday at the IRS web site linked below

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments#COVIDreliefIRS

 

[Miketice]

Dam dude. I feel for ya.

 

[o_tacodawg]

What do you mean by accumulating back pay? Do you mean you are running up child support owed to a mother who no longer has even part time custody? Or do you mean you are working again but just not getting paid timely?

While I’m on medical leave- from March 12th until current- I’m accumulating back pay. Until I go back to work I won’t be garnished. So from the time I went out on medical leave until the time I go back there will be a balance owed.

 

[o_tacodawg]

Is your child support garnished by MDHS? If so, you should have a case worker. You need to talk to me immediately and tell them you have primary physical custody now. They can stop the garnishment.

since your check is being garnished, I assume you are current on support payments. So you will get your full
check.

Yes MDHS garnishes my check. My case worker has told me the only two ways to stop the garnishment are to have her go sign an agreement at a local office or for me to take her to court. Which I can’t afford a lawyer right now and she won’t agree to terminate the support.

 

[CochiseCowbell]

Your ex sounds like the epitome of those "ol' battle axe from hell" jokes. I hope you get through this as best as possible and cut any ties she has to your life ASAP.

 

[o_tacodawg]

Your ex sounds like the epitome of those "ol' battle axe from hell" jokes. I hope you get through this as best as possible and cut any ties she has to your life ASAP.

She’s a lot of things that I can’t say on this platform. It’s hell. But I got my boy full time so it’s all worth it.

 

[johnson86-1]

Yes MDHS garnishes my check. My case worker has told me the only two ways to stop the garnishment are to have her go sign an agreement at a local office or for me to take her to court. Which I can’t afford a lawyer right now and she won’t agree to terminate the support.

I would suggest you go talk to a lawyer whether you can afford to pay anything right now or not. Maybe start by seeing if there is a local legal services that can either help you or point you to somebody that can. If not that, try the local bar association. Or if you are in a church, see if there is an attorney at your church who can suggest somebody. There is a male lawyer near you who either got absolutely 17ed by an ex over custody stuff, or probably even better, a female attorney that is dealing with their husband's crazy ex, who will be sympathetic and help you out; you just have to find him/her.

 

[Maroonthirteen]

Yes MDHS garnishes my check. My case worker has told me the only two ways to stop the garnishment are to have her go sign an agreement at a local office or for me to take her to court. Which I can’t afford a lawyer right now and she won’t agree to terminate the support.

hmmm. Best of luck. So glad you have your boy full time.

 

[jdbulldog]

Do you have a 401k you can borrow against? This is not ideal but could get you out of a pinch. Is there a life insurance you can either cash out or borrow against? Do not take money from your 401k...borrow against it. Pursue a loan against life insurance first then the 401k.

 

[o_tacodawg]

Do you have a 401k you can borrow against? This is not ideal but could get you out of a pinch. Is there a life insurance you can either cash out or borrow against? Do not take money from your 401k...borrow against it. Pursue a loan against life insurance first then the 401k.

For the sake of putting my business on the internet, I’ve borrowed against my 401k twice already- the max. Once to pay lawyer fees from the one and only time we went to court to establish joint custody. And the other time to pay off a repo. Got the first loan paid off but I’m still working on the other.

I have life insurance but with the way things are now I don’t want to cash it out.

 

[o_tacodawg]

By the way, I’m only 26. My boy is 4. Got off to a great start****

 

[Nunya.sixpack]

Such is life. It's coming at you no matter what. Some of us have been there before. Theres a light at the end of the tunnel. Work really hard to get her off the payroll though. The money they take is for your son.

 

[Dawgbite]

I was 18 when mine was born and divorced at 20. You do right by the kid and everything else will work out. when you legally try and stop that check, her maternal instincts will suddenly reappear. She will do whatever she has to to keep that check flowing, just be prepared. Good luck, you aren’t alone.

 

[o_tacodawg]

Didn’t expect the sentiment from this post but I appreciate all of y’all’s responses and advice. Hard times only last so long I reckon. I thank y’all.

 

[Longmire]

I know from when I was in court going through my divorce, the case in front of me was similar to yours. Wife had custody at one time and the son moved out and in with the dad. He was still having his check garnished for over a year. Judge asked for proof the child lived with him and not the mom. She made the mom start paying everything back the dad had paid since the child moved in with him and then set her up to start paying child support.

If I were an attorney I'd take your case for free and try to help you. I work in Ag so won't be much help.

 

[WebbFreeman]

Hard Times will be over before you know it.

Didn’t expect the sentiment from this post but I appreciate all of y’all’s responses and advice. Hard times only last so long I reckon. I thank y’all.

I am a little older than many posters here. I haven't posted in years, but felt compelled to when I read about your situation. It will get better. You have your son. Sometimes when you don't have the money, is the time to spend it. Spend it on good legal representation if necessary. It's only money and will come and go. Y'all will find a way to get by. Take care of your boy. Good luck young man.

 

[o_tacodawg]

Just now seeing your response. I thank you!