Hi I have a question about my child support case. I pray that there is someone out there that can help. I am an un-married father that has been separated from my children's mother for several years. When we originally separated the mother of my children filed for public assistance. At that time she also filed with the state that I was a 'dead-beat' dad so as to facilitate her assistance award. Since that time, I have been charged child support from the state. Not knowing this, I still had contact with the children and also provided financial support when needed. At a certain point, I was denied visitation from the mother. I then filed for custody with the state. It was at that time that I found out that I was being charged support at the same time that I was still seeing the children and giving financial support. Unfortunately, the state considered all support as gifts and not as payment for support. It took about 9 months for this procedure to go through the court system. Shortly after this, I had a change of life style that was spiritual in nature and took me out of the state where this happened. I was still in verbal contact with my children but was unable to give any financial support. The mother of my children decided at that time that I should not have any contact with the children in any way. This took place over one and a half years ago. But I am still being charged child support from the state. I am unable to renew my driver's licence or obtain a passport because the award amount is so large. Is there anyway to reduce the award amount based on the fact that the mother does not want me to have any contact with the children? I have not had any contact with her but it is my understanding that she plans to relocate to another state. Any advise on this would be very helpful. I currently do not have much money to hire an attorney. Any referral to free legal advice would also be appreciated. Thank you for your time.
