if i get married and my husband owes back child support, will i be responsible?

[Leslie]

I live in Florida and I'm afraid of getting married because of my boyfriends debt. back child support, and bad credit.

[iamtankman]

In most states his debt becomes your debt.

[Charles]

child support will follow him whereever he goes until the child is 18-24 years old if they attend college
You will also lose some of his pension when he retires at 66

[Casey]

You will marry into the debt, meaning you wont be responsible but the mother of his child could throw your future husband into jail for lack of payment. If you love him why let money come between you? Of all things to worry about, money. I know it's important but it's only money. Real love only needs love.

[Ryde.On]

All creditors can come after anything jointly owned including bank accounts and tax refunds.

I wouldn't marry someone with bad debt and bad credit ,, it's a big sign of a major character flaw.

Unpaid debt is the same as theft.

EDIT: Hey , you are not required to pay his actual child support payments but any bad debt or back child support put you at risk.

[Arthur W]

No as child support is only between the biological Mother and Father, no matter if they get remarried but I just wouldnt open a joint account or anything , if possible, with his name on it, because support collection agencies and the Courts dont distinguish who exactly owns what account nor care where the money comes from in joint accounts

[mmm]

I have heard in California they consider the other spouse as part of the income process ...so you would have to check it out in your state -

imagine this - he owes back support and there is a joint account and they take 1/2 - is it your half or his half? my advice is to keep your money separate from him . . .always and forever

[geetarman56]

There is no way you can be required to take on responsibility for his child support. That's totally his problem and responsibilty and in no way can your wages be garnished to satisfy claims against him being behind in support payments. And if you want protection against any other bad debts he's accumulated, then have a prenuptial agreement that in no way are you responsible for those debts he incurred before the marriage.

[ILoveJesus]

No, you will not be responsible-he will. If you know he has alot of debt, well, either you can help him get out of it, or wait and see if he will get himself out. If you marry him and he has alot of debt, and you are not in position to help get him out, then you may want to wait before marrying.

[Bittertoad434]

Your joint assets would be vulnerable.
Why are there arrears? If there is a legitimate reason, such as unemployment, the obligor can still file for a reduction in them. Most Child Support obligors do not know there is free help from the state, by federal law, to obtain a modification. At the minimum, a motion should be filed to have any interest penalties set aside, which can double or triple the amount owed. Of the total media “reported” amount of child support owed, 83% if interest penalties and not unpaid child support. These links will teach what needs to be known about child support.
http://www.supportkids.com/default.aspx?...calculator
http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/07/assessing-CS-...um.htm#Why

http://www.facebook.com/groups/FL.DadsHouseEdCtr/
http://DadsHouseEdCtr.org
http://dadshouseedctr.qhub.com/
http://www.YouTube.com/DadsHouseEdCtr

http://www.crckids.org/
For 22 years, I have volunteered my time working with divorced/single fathers dealing in family law issues, such as child support, teaching them about what the states are not telling support obligors.
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