On-going Support Obligation

Question: my brother is trying to appeal a child support order on a child proven not his. The courts wont lesson to him This has been an on going dispute with the court system for almost 18yrs. I have provided the courts with paternity test proven that the child is not mine. Since the mother cannot provide a paternal father they will not release me of child support obligation. I have another appeal coming up soon, but they will reject it like the others. This has been a waste of time with the courts because they don't want to hear me. What action do I need to take with the court to clear me of this obligation of child support. Also the mother has admitted to the courts that I am not the biological father they also won't hear her. I don't have much money, I'm not working at this moment how can I get free legal assistance to represent me in court?

Answer: Sue the mother. Other than that, I can't think of anything.

Question: When does child support end.? My son graduated high school and moved in with his father, got a full time job and had no plans on going to school again. A month and half later he turned 18. So my obligation to pay support stops. Now 6 1/2 half months after he turned 18 he has decided to go back to school. Since my support obligation has ended does it now start up again since he just decided to go back to school? I have no issue with helping my son, but I want to pay that directly to him. My ex earns over $100,000 a year and I earn $18,000 and he is insisting I pay him support because he paid me support when my son lived with me although he never paid for any special expenses such as braces, sports etc. I should also add that I am in Canada, we have a divorce agreement and it states that support is to be paid until 23 and still in school. My issue is that he finished school and now his father has convinced him to go back to school, which great I want him to go to school, but since my son moved in with his father his father does not pay for anything for him other then food on the table and roof over his head. My son still comes to me to buy his clothes. My son pays his own transit tickets, entertainment and school expenses.

Answer: it ends at the age of 18. There you saw the opinions of a couple women who I'm sure are trying to get support for the rest of their lives. I have a totally different view on child support. I think if you want the kids you should foot the bill. I have joint custody of my 4 year old son, me being the custodial parent. I didn't ask my X wife for 1 cent because I really believe it's my responsibility to take care of him due to the fact that I fought for him and won. I think women take this as an opportunity to get into your pocket for years to come and Being that I feel this way I couldn't see myself taking money from his mother when I can provide for him myself.

Question: How much will it cost GM (govt. owned) to clean up the mercury from all the "clunkers"? http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20090824/pl… According to industry estimates, 54% of all vehicles containing mercury are GM models. Environmentalists estimates that turned-in "clunker" vehicles alone contain over 1,000 pounds of mercury. GM's failure to pay for switch recovery efforts means that over 50% of this mercury could potentially be released into the environment. "With vehicles pouring into scrap yards under the Cash for Clunkers program, GM should pay its fair share," said Michael Bender, director of the Vermont-based Mercury Policy Project. "GM's lack of support leaves others in the lurch. It also detracts further from the financing necessary for the national program to operate effectively." Nationally, according to industry estimates, GM models now on the road contain more than 18 million mercury switches (39,000 pounds). With Cash for Clunkers adding many more mercury-containing vehicles to the end-of-life pool, it's extremely unfortunate timing for a major supporter to be walking away from the table, say environmentalists. Last month, a separate fund that helped pay financial incentives to auto dismantlers for turning in switches ran out of cash, so the program was already strapped for cash. "GM should not hide behind a bankruptcy proceeding as an excuse for not meeting its on-going obligation to fund a vital program for keeping mercury out of the environment," said Charles Griffith, with the Michigan-based Ecology Center. "Americans should demand that in return for the benefits it received under Cash for Clunkers, the company continue meeting its obligations to fund legacy mercury recovery costs from GM end-of-life vehicles." Mercury switches were used to operate hood and trunk convenience lights in vehicles made before 2004, when automakers stopped their use. Upwards of 100 million of these devices were used in vehicles. Unless they are removed first, the mercury from auto switches is released to the air when vehicles are recycled at steel mills. This source contributes to both local and global mercury pollution and contamination of fish.

Answer: While it is a problem, it is a bit of a ruse to focus on the clunkers program if one is worried about mercury and it's effects. Over 40% of the mercury in the environment comes from coal plants. While 1000 pounds sounds like a lot, it is a drop in the bucket when compared to where most of the mercury in the environment comes from. Further, in 2006, the EPA announced a national program to recover 80-90 percent of all available mercury switches from scrap automobiles. In February 2008, the Program collected its millionth mercury-containing automotive switch, which represents more than one ton of mercury that has been removed from the environment. The goal of the program is to collect 80 to 90 percent of available mercury switches by 2017. The National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program will not end if monetary incentives cease to be offered to automobile dismantlers recovering switches. The NVMSRP is scheduled to continue until 2017, based upon an estimate that all available mercury vehicle switches will have been collected by that year. Until then, mercury vehicle switches will continue to be recovered, recycled and buckets transported at no cost to participants, regardless of whether switch incentive payments are available.

Question: Is he selfish or am I crazy? My BF & I have been dating for 3.5 yrs. We were absolutely head over heels for each other during the 1st yr. We were 19 & 20 when we met and we had both been in long term relationships before. After 1yr of dating he decided to go to college. At first I was very excited about this, I was not planning on going to school so I found a full time job. We had to move in with his rents so he could focus on school, I could not support us nor was it my obligation after only being together a year. Now 3 yrs later and switching majors a few times he is still in school. There are 4 yrs left due to lost credits when major was changed. We don't live with the parents anymore, have our own place. He is planning on studying abroad for a year in Germany a year from now. When we first knew each other we spent tons of time together. I feel that since he has devoted everything he has to school and an intership plus he competes in rowing competitions that he doesn't have time for us. HELP! I'm not asking for him to choose. I just want security that I am not wasting my roaring 20's on this guy who is getting a college degree and will dump me the second he gets his diploma. I have already put almost 4 years into this. I love him, I really do and I want to make sure that he is really committed. I would be much more supportive knowing that I stood by him for a reason, because I knew that we would end up together.

Answer: He's not selfish - he's just young! Now is the time for him to explore the world and go on adventures while he still can. I'm sure you wouldn't feel this way if you picked up a few hobbies to keep yourself busy while he's out. I've been with my partner for 3 years as well, and he is always out with his friends or doing whatever he does on the computer. I hated it until I signed up for a cooking course. I also started reading again and found some TV shows I really like. Not to sound negative, but now I don't care if we hang out together during the day or not! As long as we go to bed together at night and exchange our "I love yous" as much as possible, I'm happy knowing he's having a good time, whatever he's doing - with or without me.

Question: My parents are blaming my spouse? We aren't married yet, but my boyfriend and I are raising a family. He has a six year old daughter from a previous marriage and I am currently 31 weeks pregnant. He works full time and I was going to school full time, working part time, and taking care of my step-daughter while he worked. Recently my doctor told me to go on "partial bed rest" because I've been nearly collapsing from exhaustion. My boyfriend and I talked it over and he said he'd support me in any decision I made. After a couple days I decided it'd be best if I stopped school for the semester. Well, now my parents are really angry and blaming him for me dropping this semester. I plan on going back next semester but they don't believe me. I tried explaining that it wasn't his fault and the decision was mine. They say I am putting all my energy into raising his daughter, but I consider her my daughter...not just my step-daughter. She's not an obligation for me. I feel like they're being a little hypocritical, too. My mother was a single mom before my dad. He took on raising my sister and my dad's parents weren't accepting of my sister at all. Now, they're treating my daughter like my grandparents treated my sister. What are your thoughts? Opinions? Should I even try to make them see that he's not to blame? Please no rude comments.

Answer: Your parents may be concerned precisely because they have been in a similar situation. They're probably well aware of the trials and tribulations, and rather than see the wonderful family they raised as a result, they just see you dealing with the troublesome parts, and no parent likes to see their child in any sort of trouble. However, you should remind them that you are a mother now yourself, and whether they're ready to admit it to themselves or not you are an adult and are fully capable of making your own decisions that you feel are best for your family. Whether they agree with your decisions or not are a moot point. As your parents they should be offering you support. Good luck and congrats on the baby!