First time here, at least at the divorced part :-(. Just wondering if anyone has knowledge of Florida law concerning child support after divorce. My dearly beloved left 5 years ago and abandoned me, our then 4 year old and HER 13 year old son whom I and my family have always considered to be blood, not "step". I was there for his birth. I am currently fighting like hell to get him started in his first year at USF with a major in engineering. I bought the Florida Prepaid College Program when he was a baby, as I did with my 9 year old, but there are SO MANY other expenses that have been over whelming.

I recently hired an attorney and finalized our D with me having custody of our shared child (9 yr old) and without my 17 year old being mentioned, because he is, well now 18 (08-08). The final hearing was on the day of our 13th wedding anniversary (7-7-08). Part of which said "Husband has the ability to support the children and seeks no child support at this time" or something to that effect. My question is, do I have to spend all that money to support the "Judicial economy" or is there a way I can seek child support for the 9 year old without going broke?

Thanks for any help ;-)
CJ

Why was "seeks no child support at this time" stated if you are wanting child support?

It hasn't been two months since the finalization.

The time to get CS was when you had the attorney on the clock.

To do that now you are going to have to place him back on the clock and it's gonna cost you.

jmho

committed

http://www.flcourts.org/gen_public/family/forms_rules/905b.pdf

That's a link to do it by yourself... it's called pro se.

I filed for divorce, got awarded the house, primary custody and a small amount of child support all without using an attorney in Florida. It's not easy and can be risky but if you have no money, you gotta do what you gotta do.

I'm curious too.. why didn't you mention it at the divorce hearing? Your lawyer must have been a raging idiot.

What I'd suggest is paying the $100 consultation fee with a DIFFERENT lawyer to see if you have legal grounds for asking for child support this soon after the final hearing. If the lawyer says you do (not sure why you wouldn't) than file the motion pro se.

committedandlovi & Charliethree:

First off, thank you both for you replies. My Ex came into this marriage with nothing. But one attorney told me early on (she has been gone for 5 years now) when I first sought legal advice that she would leave with half the home, a large portion of the business, half of MY retirement fund, and half of all other property and money (savings ect). AND he said I may not have to pay PERMANENT alimony!! I would surely have to pay for a year or more. Worst of all, he said that My 14 year old (He is not biologically mine, but I raised him from birth and he IS my Son) I would have no say to because he is not legally my son. Even worse than that he said that no court in Florida would split the siblings. So she would get the boys and that is all I had left to give me reason. And yes, if it came right down to it, I think she would go for custody. She likes getting the child support check for my Son while I am doing all the supporting, financially and emotionally. This is why I waited so long and why my attorney went with the no child support deal.

Why now? My 14 year old (At the time), was excepted at USF and is now in his first semester. I bought both of my boys the Florida Prepaid College Plan when they were babies. What I am just coming to realize is that the tuition is NOTHING compared to all the other expenses (Dorms, meal plans, books ect).

Charliethree, is that a military reference "Charlie 3"? Thank you for the link, I will check that out.

Again, thank you both, not sure why I didn't include some of the details. I hope this all made sense, I am trying to get dinner and laundry going while I am doing this.

Thanks again,
CJ

Hi! I'm a USF graduate.:)Great school.....
My son was only married a year and there were no kids. But one thing I learned from watching his experience was to DO YOUR HOMEWORK. I suggest getting an attorney. You have to know your rights.
You have to keep what you know to yourself,not letting on to her what you are trying to do. That is extremely important. If you are lucky,you will get an attorney that really cares and doesn't just go through the motions. My son was VERY lucky in this area. His now ex-wife didn't think our son was very smart due to a medical condition he has. So,she took her time getting her ducks in a row. When he caught her with this much older man,she was shocked that he had everything in place whereas she had just started.
Doing his homework,saying nothing to her and getting a good attorney saved my son a lot of grief. To this day,I wish I had been a fly on the wall when a police officer served her at home with divorce papers. I understand she went into melt down. She totally panicked and all of a sudden wanted "to work things out". Too late.
So,get your ducks in a row. Don't just think you know what to do. Get the answers without her knowing it.