Child Support and Truck Drivers

[BigSlim]

Last year I worked for two trucking companies. One for the first half and the other for the second. Brief discription of the situation; I have been paying Child support all my kids lives, however, I had lost one of them and lost my driving job of 11yrs. at the same time. I felt forced to do the right thing, by getting a OTR job immediately due to paying child support.

The first orange OTR I had was ok, but found everything to deduct from my check at a high expense. The second with its shielded sliding pay scale, didn't take out Child Support and I only was with them for 3-4 mths. Well, VA DCSE has suspended my CDL and now I'm out of a job. What can a driver do at this point when his lively-hood has been stripped from him? [/b]

[line_transporter]

Thats a tough situation. Just try to look for options, either driving a truck, or maybe another venture that can take care of your situation. Keep at it, and good luck : - ]

[BigSlim]

Thats a tough situation. Just try to look for options, either driving a truck, or maybe another venture that can take care of your situation. Keep at it, and good luck : - ]

Thanks for the encouragement transporter, but with these companies paying pennies from a dollar, a driver has no chance to having a great life. And I have only a few years left for support; besides, these days and time jobs are scarced.

[Uturn2001]

Don't you just love the irony of it all.

Hey Buddy, you earn a living with your driver's license, but you are behind on your child support so we are going to take your DL away so you can get even more behind.

[Malaki86]

The WV DHHR wanted to do the exact same thing to me. I've been paying my child support (taken directly from my pay) for years. I get a notice for a hearing about it. At the hearing the judge took one look at what I've paid every week/2 weeks over the years, the job I do and threw the case out. He even asked the state's attorney exactly how he thought I was going to continue to make the payments I've been making when they take away the source of income that allowed me to make those payments without fail.

Luckily, my daughter just turned 18. I owe a total of $650 on the back child support, which my income taxes this year will pay off in full. Now I just have to pay the support until her 20th birthday (she's going to college this fall).

If they've already taken your license, file an appeal with the state.

[Mr. Ford95]

Big Slim, go talk to a lawyer, VA is notorious for pulling this stunt. They might be able to buy you some time to get back out and make some money to show that your doing the right thing. Not everyone can make the same amount of money as a state attorney and they seem to forget that all the time.

I worked with a guy that lost his license over not paying child support. Hello, he was in jail for a year on drug charges and therefore had no income so he had his license taken away (like he could have really used it for the year he was in jail.) Got released and 24 hours later was back in jail for not paying the child support. Their reasoning, "We took your license and that didn't solve the issue so maybe some time in the pokey will fix it."

Mal, what was the fool's response to the judge? Uh uh uh, well your honor, uh uh

[Uturn2001]

Another thing while we are on this subject. Request a full account statement on how much child support you have and have not paid and when.

I can not speak for other states, but Illinois' central child support disbursement department can not add, subtract or put the right amount in the right account. Been this way ever since they had to create it due to federal law over a decade ago.

[thebaldeagle655]

From what I see, you are blaming the second company for not taking out the child support as the reason for you losing your CDL. No, YOU are responsible for ensuring that this gets paid, NOT the company. Simple answer. You (not the company) didn't pay the child support, now YOU have to pay the consequences!

Oh, and don't play the fool here, you were notified prior to your license being suspended that you had a period of time to get current. You didn't pay on time, you didn't pay when the ultimatum to pay up or lose your license showed up, get a job, keep the job, pay for your kids and grow up!

May be a bit harsh but I just don't take kindly to people forcing their kids to starve because they blame everyone else for their own failure to pay child support!

[RebelDarlin]

From what I see, you are blaming the second company for not taking out the child support as the reason for you losing your CDL. No, YOU are responsible for ensuring that this gets paid, NOT the company. Simple answer. You (not the company) didn't pay the child support, now YOU have to pay the consequences!

Oh, and don't play the fool here, you were notified prior to your license being suspended that you had a period of time to get current. You didn't pay on time, you didn't pay when the ultimatum to pay up or lose your license showed up, get a job, keep the job, pay for your kids and grow up!

May be a bit harsh but I just don't take kindly to people forcing their kids to starve because they blame everyone else for their own failure to pay child support!

I'm not sure about this...there was acourt order that child support was to be taken out of my EX's check, when it wasn't being done, I had to go to Court and his COMPANY got in trouble for not complying. Just sayin'

[Mr. Ford95]

VA has court order also. The OP is from VA. My company gets a deputy that comes in every now and then with an updated list of who owes what amount. From there, they deduct it from that persons paycheck and send it to whomever is supposed to get it, whether it's the state or the guardian caring for the kid(s.) Best bet is to talk with a lawyer and go from there on it.

[thebaldeagle655]

Court order or not, when he got his check, he knew the child support wasn't taken out, it is his responsibility to pay it. If the company doesn't deduct it, it is still his responsibility to right a check and send it to the proper authorities. Reason for this? Too many deadbeat dads will go to work someplace just long enough for the courts to find out where they work, send the paperwork to start the deductions then the person quits to avoid paying. No, VA didn't just revoke his license for a couple months without notice. No sympathy here, he enjoyed the sex, had the child, doesn't want to pay his responsibility now is crying cause he is paying the penalty. I'll bet you anything that his court order does in fact state the penalty and that he has the ultimate responsibility!

[Fredog]

Court order or not, when he got his check, he knew the child support wasn't taken out, it is his responsibility to pay it. If the company doesn't deduct it, it is still his responsibility to right a check and send it to the proper authorities. Reason for this? Too many deadbeat dads will go to work someplace just long enough for the courts to find out where they work, send the paperwork to start the deductions then the person quits to avoid paying. No, VA didn't just revoke his license for a couple months without notice. No sympathy here, he enjoyed the sex, had the child, doesn't want to pay his responsibility now is crying cause he is paying the penalty. I'll bet you anything that his court order does in fact state the penalty and that he has the ultimate responsibility!

how do you know he enjoyed it?

[thebaldeagle655]

You have a point, but the worse I ever had was pretty dang good

[century451]

He could have had it paid directly out of his checking account. You cant blame a company for your responcibility. As the old saying goes....you can delegate your authority but not your responcibility.

[BigSlim]

Court order or not, when he got his check, he knew the child support wasn't taken out, it is his responsibility to pay it. If the company doesn't deduct it, it is still his responsibility to right a check and send it to the proper authorities. Reason for this? Too many deadbeat dads will go to work someplace just long enough for the courts to find out where they work, send the paperwork to start the deductions then the person quits to avoid paying. No, VA didn't just revoke his license for a couple months without notice. No sympathy here, he enjoyed the sex, had the child, doesn't want to pay his responsibility now is crying cause he is paying the penalty. I'll bet you anything that his court order does in fact state the penalty and that he has the ultimate responsibility!

I appreciate the input and all the responses; please don't hesitate to keep responding. Baldeagle, this is not an act of blame and I don't want anyone to focus on your point you're stressing here. I am not blaming the company, and I have been paying my support for all my kids every since they came into this world. Unfortunately, I have lost one of my kids do to mothers' neglect and another who I had to go to another state to persuave the court not to retain my 10yr old daughter whos being in trouble with the law and neglected by her mother, and another who is making all "F" on his report card and just don't care. See, this is not about just paying support, because money don't buy love. You can receive notifications all day long, but if the system don't hear your plea, then you are at a lost cost. So to say, don't start bashing, and pointing fingers, because it sounds as if it's coming, from a deadbeat dad. The company that I was working for, didn't pay well at all in this industry. I have done very well with my kids, and most of all, my kids know who their dad is and their dad knows who his kids are. I can't say the same for you nor VA DCSE; they can't tell me who my kids are.

Note; It's funny how we can always find suggestions, but never a solution.

[RebelDarlin]

Court order or not, when he got his check, he knew the child support wasn't taken out, it is his responsibility to pay it. If the company doesn't deduct it, it is still his responsibility to right a check and send it to the proper authorities. Reason for this? Too many deadbeat dads will go to work someplace just long enough for the courts to find out where they work, send the paperwork to start the deductions then the person quits to avoid paying. No, VA didn't just revoke his license for a couple months without notice. No sympathy here, he enjoyed the sex, had the child, doesn't want to pay his responsibility now is crying cause he is paying the penalty. I'll bet you anything that his court order does in fact state the penalty and that he has the ultimate responsibility!

I appreciate the input and all the responses; please don't hesitate to keep responding. Baldeagle, this is not an act of blame and I don't want anyone to focus on your point you're stressing here. I am not blaming the company, and I have been paying my support for all my kids every since they came into this world. Unfortunately, I have lost one of my kids do to mothers' neglect and another who I had to go to another state to persuave the court not to retain my 10yr old daughter whos being in trouble with the law and neglected by her mother, and another who is making all "F" on his report card and just don't care. See, this is not about just paying support, because money don't buy love. You can receive notifications all day long, but if the system don't hear your plea, then you are at a lost cost. So to say, don't start bashing, and pointing fingers, because it sounds as if it's coming, from a deadbeat dad. The company that I was working for, didn't pay well at all in this industry. I have done very well with my kids, and most of all, my kids know who their dad is and their dad knows who his kids are. I can't say the same for you nor VA DCSE; they can't tell me who my kids are.

Note; It's funny how we can always find suggestions, but never a solution.

Sounds like you need a lawyer, not a trucking forum.

[gmh]

When lawyers get involved, you have already lost. The only thing they might be able to do is lessen the loss.

BigSlim, I feel for ya, and wish you the best of luck.

I'd post the results of some studies about 'dead beat dads', but this is a trucking forum, not a MRF.

[Sheepdancer]

Ok you say you need solutions and not negative criticism? OK.... I dont mean this is a bad way, but Ive seen it tons of times. Men who havent paid their child support but are still living pretty well. Ive seen dads who owe 4000 bucks in child support and have more than that in fishing and hunting equiptment. I see men who owe thousands and pay 500 bucks a month on a cool financed car.
THe best solution would be to pay what you owe. You need to sit down and make a plan. Sitting around asking questions on a message board and earning 0 bucks an hour isnt going to solve any problems.
Step 1: Start selling crap you have. I noticed you have a computer and internet access. Do you think a computer and web surfing is more important than your kids? How many TVs do you have? 1 or 2? Again, are they more important than your kids? Have a garage sale. Hell, I just had one this weekend just clearing out junk I didnt need and made 2 grand. Do you have a nice car or even a moderate car? Sell it and buy a 1000 buck hoopty. Or use public transportation. Do you have a cell phone, cable tv....any other non needed service...Get rid of it. Keep on selling stuff until you pay off what you owe your own flesh and blood or you are sitting in the dark on the carpet eating dollar store mac and cheese by candlelight. Maybe its just me, but my children are way more important to me than ANY material things.
Step 2: Yes, your chosen career is gone for now. Get a different job. Go work in some warehouse, retail, deliver pizzas....you need to do whatever it takes to pay off what you owe....then and only then can you start trying to become a truck driver again.
Also by reading your post I noticed you started to take responsibility a little, but then you bounced back and started blaming your ex wife for all your kids problems..Such and them being in trouble with the law and getting bad grades. I hate to point it out to you, but a lot of that is caused by you. Its probably pretty tough being a kid with divorced parents. And Im sure it makes it tougher when the father who doesnt have much to do with their lives, fails to support them. Its sad that the stupid CHOICES both parents make can screw up kids for life.

[Colts Fan]

Ok you say you need solutions and not negative criticism? OK.... I dont mean this is a bad way, but Ive seen it tons of times. Men who havent paid their child support but are still living pretty well. Ive seen dads who owe 4000 bucks in child support and have more than that in fishing and hunting equiptment. I see men who owe thousands and pay 500 bucks a month on a cool financed car.
THe best solution would be to pay what you owe. You need to sit down and make a plan. Sitting around asking questions on a message board and earning 0 bucks an hour isnt going to solve any problems.
Step 1: Start selling crap you have. I noticed you have a computer and internet access. Do you think a computer and web surfing is more important than your kids? How many TVs do you have? 1 or 2? Again, are they more important than your kids? Have a garage sale. Hell, I just had one this weekend just clearing out junk I didnt need and made 2 grand. Do you have a nice car or even a moderate car? Sell it and buy a 1000 buck hoopty. Or use public transportation. Do you have a cell phone, cable tv....any other non needed service...Get rid of it. Keep on selling stuff until you pay off what you owe your own flesh and blood or you are sitting in the dark on the carpet eating dollar store mac and cheese by candlelight. Maybe its just me, but my children are way more important to me than ANY material things.
Step 2: Yes, your chosen career is gone for now. Get a different job. Go work in some warehouse, retail, deliver pizzas....you need to do whatever it takes to pay off what you owe....then and only then can you start trying to become a truck driver again.
Also by reading your post I noticed you started to take responsibility a little, but then you bounced back and started blaming your ex wife for all your kids problems..Such and them being in trouble with the law and getting bad grades. I hate to point it out to you, but a lot of that is caused by you. Its probably pretty tough being a kid with divorced parents. And Im sure it makes it tougher when the father who doesnt have much to do with their lives, fails to support them. Its sad that the stupid CHOICES both parents make can screw up kids for life.

DING DING DING... We have a winner!!!!

[BigSlim]

Ok you say you need solutions and not negative criticism? OK.... I dont mean this is a bad way, but Ive seen it tons of times. Men who havent paid their child support but are still living pretty well. Ive seen dads who owe 4000 bucks in child support and have more than that in fishing and hunting equiptment. I see men who owe thousands and pay 500 bucks a month on a cool financed car.
THe best solution would be to pay what you owe. You need to sit down and make a plan. Sitting around asking questions on a message board and earning 0 bucks an hour isnt going to solve any problems.
Step 1: Start selling crap you have. I noticed you have a computer and internet access. Do you think a computer and web surfing is more important than your kids? How many TVs do you have? 1 or 2? Again, are they more important than your kids? Have a garage sale. Hell, I just had one this weekend just clearing out junk I didnt need and made 2 grand. Do you have a nice car or even a moderate car? Sell it and buy a 1000 buck hoopty. Or use public transportation. Do you have a cell phone, cable tv....any other non needed service...Get rid of it. Keep on selling stuff until you pay off what you owe your own flesh and blood or you are sitting in the dark on the carpet eating dollar store mac and cheese by candlelight. Maybe its just me, but my children are way more important to me than ANY material things.
Step 2: Yes, your chosen career is gone for now. Get a different job. Go work in some warehouse, retail, deliver pizzas....you need to do whatever it takes to pay off what you owe....then and only then can you start trying to become a truck driver again.
Also by reading your post I noticed you started to take responsibility a little, but then you bounced back and started blaming your ex wife for all your kids problems..Such and them being in trouble with the law and getting bad grades. I hate to point it out to you, but a lot of that is caused by you. Its probably pretty tough being a kid with divorced parents. And Im sure it makes it tougher when the father who doesnt have much to do with their lives, fails to support them. Its sad that the stupid CHOICES both parents make can screw up kids for life.

Sheepdancer, your point has well been taken in consideration. I wasn't pointing any fingers, I am just seeking advice as a truck driver doing the right thing while on the road. I was pointing out the things many fathers are going through, and have gone through for their kids. I have traded my surburban in for a $2000.00 94' cadi. and the only thing I do have left is a computer which I built, while using others internet connections. It isn't much, however, I have refer back to other skills like cutting hair, fixing computers for pennies on a dollar. I still get my kids from school when necessary and all that follows. I am no runner, I ambicious to getting back to driving. I have been doing well up until this point, so I agree with your statements and all absentees should do just that in which I have done myself.

With the responsibilities of the road, what do a driver do to manage responsibilities on the home front while they're away from home?