Q: This is off the wall, but who do I contact about the subject and sound off about dead beat parents?
I am so upset with the Jefferson County court system. I have a three-year-old daughter. I have full custody of her and her father gets to see her every Wednesday and every other weekend.
I am not complaining about the visitations, what I’m upset about is that this man owes my daughter over $13,000 in back child support and it just keeps building. Every time we go in front of a judge, all they seem to do is try to get back child support, and he agrees to the terms on paper.
And then they review the case three months later or so, and basically the system, is not working for my daughter. He even was able to get help through the county.
I have a fulltime job, and have bills like everyone else in the world, but I can’t get help through the county like child care assistance. They say I make too much.
I guess my question is: Who do I contact to get help with this matter? The family support department doesn’t have enough people for the case loads, etc.
And the father thinks it’s funny that every time we go to court, they just slap his hand and send him on his way until the next court hearing. I just want to be able to provide for my daughter.
SCOTT: Oh, that does sound frustrating. Apparently someone’s father thinks it doesn’t cost anything to raise kids.
It seems like a big game to him, only it’s his poor daughter who’s losing out. Desperate times call for desperate intervention, so I asked author and divorced parent extraordinaire Pat Heran for some tips and here’s what she had to say (get ready):
“If you have an attorney, inquire as to what the next step is, and ask how much of the process you can do on your own.
If you are managing this without an attorney, contact the Jefferson County Child Support Enforcement. Ask to meet with someone who can advise you, (be prepared to stay on hold for a long time, or wait hours to be seen — arrange babysitting for the day).
“Go to their website at for information.
“If you go back to court, be prepared. It goes fast, and you can find yourself walking out of the courtroom feeling like you didn’t get to finish or solve the problem.
“Create a detailed proposed agreement (stipulation), which will become an order of the court at your hearing if both parties agree or the judge orders it. It should address situations you anticipate with your ex — nobody knows him better than you. (I.e. he is ordered to pay but doesn’t, so include a time frame in which he must meet his obligation, specific remedy/penalty for late/non-payment; specific remedy/penalty for failure to respond within defined period of time to communication from you or your attorney, etc.)
“Remedies you may request of the court are: Child support to be garnished from his wages, suspension of driver’s license or professional license, even passport suspension. Though not ideal, the prospect of jail time on days off has resulted in immediate cooperation for many a “recalcitrant” ex.
“Requesting child support garnished from his wages and automatically deposited into your account can be done as part of your divorce agreement. It is healthier (and cheaper) for all concerned.
“Colorado Child Support Enforcement assistance:
“JEFFERSON
900 Jefferson County Pkwy
Golden, CO 80401
“Local Phone: (303) 271-4300”
Well, there you have it.
Thanks Pat! Wow, I guess you’re not the only one who’s gone through a divorce with child support issues.