Dad quit his high paying job and now is not paying child support?

I would go to Family Maintenance Enforcement (I guess that's the equivalent of Support Enforcement). He NEEDS to pay - whether he likes it or not.

Is he capable of going back to the Journeyman work? If so, he needs to do that ASAP.

My ex was making 80,000 a year and we had a court ordered agreement to pay me $600 a month (the court wanted him to pay $800 - but I did not NEED that much money a month). Well, he quit that job and decided to work as a mechanic making $50 a day. He took me to court to get the amount lowered. The judge asked him why he quit his previous job to work at his current job. His response? B/c I'm happy.

The judge laughed and told him she could care less if he's happy. If he is capable of making 80,000 a year - he needs to seek employment that will earn him that amount or close to it. Instead of lowering the amount, she raised it to $900 a month. I laughed because he shot himself in the foot.

Research the laws for your area, possibly contact a family lawyer. You deserve SOMETHING.

I just would like to tell you to wait it out for a little while longer:

times are tough for just about everyone right now, as you and your family know. But remember, they are probably tough for your ex as well. Your partner got laid off, maybe your ex has too. Nothing, not even employment or child support, is guaranteed right now.

Don't report him just yet. Try to get a straight answer from him first. Ask him if he's been laid off, or if there is another arrangement that would be easier (such as 4 smaller payments a month, instead of 1 or 2 big ones).

If he doesn't want to discuss it with you, or continues not to pay, then think about pursuing it officially.

One thing I would like to stress, not specifically towards you, but to all parents who receive child support: Just as things change in your life, imagine that they may also be changing in the life of your exes as well!

~EDIT~

Something else to think about, now that I saw your newest comments:

Is the non-custodial parent ALWAYS to have that $30/hour job, or is he not free to pursue a different career, perhaps a more stable one, or one that he enjoys more? I know that the custodial parent would be, no questions asked. Just food for thought.

Again, I urge you to give it a little more time. If he has chosen to work WHILE going to school, it shows that he is responsible, but his paycut is taking it's toll on his bills, I am sure, and it's only been 6 weeks. Maybe he is trying to get his ducks in a row ?????

In all honesty if you worried about keeping a roof over your kids head then get off maternity leave and get back to work and have your partner get a job instead of being on EI. me personally i dint see why he was paying you so much in the first place, and the child support money he is paying you for his son should be used for his son only and not on your other kids. Yes you can go get enforcement on him but they can only take a certain amount out of his check and it might only be 100- 200 a month from his check if he is only making 14 an hour. I would say get off EI and do what you need to do for you family, because even if you do go for enforcment there is still no garentte you will get your money.

here's what i think about your edit. you can get another job if your that bad off, i know about laws but i also know that if you need another job you can get one. and as for the medical problems thats what insurance pays for. im sorry thats just my honest opinion. My mother only paid my father 200 a month and that was enough to take care of me and it wasnt that long ago.

THATS why i said go get enforcment on him, i was just telling you your not gonna get much and your probably not gonna get anything for a while. It takes a long time before you start getting your money. Im not saying he shouldnt be paying child support, he should be. About the fact that he is now working a 14 hour job instead of a 30 if thats what he wants then he has the right to do that, you cant just make him work a higher paying job because you want more money. thats all im saying. he needs to pay but your probably not gonna get the money right away. And im sure you can get a higher paying job then 8 dollars an hour. All i know if it was my family and we where about to lose a roof over our heads i would be out working my butt off no matter what. honesty.

It almost sounds like your expecting that money to keep your family afloat, not as child support. Although he does need to be supporting your child, it's not his fault you and your hubby aren't working and are ringing up your Visa Bill. Go to the FME, but seeing he's making $14/hour, the support is going to be much, much less than $350. Maybe your partner needs to go out and get a night job to pay for the insurance and credit card.

You need to go to court and get a set child support. All I know is that if he is making $14 a hour and ran out of work how do you expect him to pay you $350 a month? You have to look at his income still. Your best bet would be go to court though.

If he hasn't paid child support then you have to do what you have to do, I understand money is tight, it is for a lot of people right now but he is still responsible for paying child support.

If my ex didn't pay, I would go to Family Mantenace and let them deal with him.

Ok, money is tight but your child still has to eat right? Forget that, he would be paying SOMETHING..I'd be at Family Maintenance Enforcement in a minute....

since he QUIT his job i would enforce that he paid. that was a choice, its not like he got fired