How to Obtain Child Support

[scornish]

All,
In April 2008, I gave birth to a baby girl. The week after my daughter was born, her father took a paternity test and it showed he is the father (99.999999% positive).

He's in the Marine Corps and left for Afghanistan in April. I haven't heard from him since he left.

What's the process for getting child support and establishing paternity?

My concern is he may be trying to dodge his responsibility.

I live in Maryland.

Thanks for your help.

[Anonymous]

File an IV-D case through your states child support services. If you are eligible they can represent you for free, and you are more likely to get paid then a civil suit.

[Anonymous]

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Is he listed on the birth cert as the father? It is an easier process if he is. Just file the papers through the state of MD (google Maryland Child Support Enforcement). You will need some basic info about him as well as your child's SSN and birth cert. Then, they will send you info about appearing at their offices to fill out more paperwork. After that, they will send a summons to him to appear before a judge to determine child support. Call and ask about him being in the military and being deployed overseas. This process can take a while so be patient. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Since there is a paternity test it should be sufficient, no need to pus hto get his name on the birth certificate - actually I found it is better not to have it on there as you can travel overseas and get a passport without a letter from him giving permission for each trip.

The process takes about 6 months, but it is worth it in the long run!

[Anonymous]

If she knows who the father is and had a paternity test to prove it, why shouldn't it be on the birth cert? So she can travel overseas easily? If she has taken the steps to prove paternity and then pursue support, he should be listed as the father.