My Case with the Oregon Department of Justice Child Support Division

                                                                                                 May 29, 2014

One of the parts of my story is about my case with the Department of Justice(DOJ) Child Support Division. I would like to start off by saying I never tried to fight the DOJ Child Support Division and always had a good attitude when dealing with them and my experience with the agency was good overall. Maybe the best way to put dealing with the DOJ Child Support Division is that "you give respect and you'll get respect."

 Close to a year after my son's birth, I received documents stating that a case was being opened against me. By the time the documents came, I was already in the hole for thousands of dollars because the money builds even while you are unaware a case is open. The DOJ Child Support Division  was  sending mail everywhere looking for me. The DOJ Child Support Division sent scary statements about stopping my license or Passport and other statements, but I just read it and settled down to think about my options. I will admit that I was very worried about being on the tab for lots of money and thinking that my son's mother was just sitting there not paying anything. My son's mother was receiving the money and it was not being appropriately spent on my son, but instead on his siblings or herself. Also, I had to provide for my son when he came to visit me.


My game plan was to go to DOJ Child Support Division and explain my financial situation to them. I brought in any documents they needed to show my income and I explained my monthly bills to them and what I could afford to pay them. My payment amount was far less than what they wanted, and they did make me sign a contract that was re-viewable. I believe the payment contract was re-viewable at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. The main point is that they were willing to work with me and they would probably be willing to work with any parent that wants to be in good standing with them. Working with the DOJ Child Support Division allowed all my legal privileges to remain the same and it did make me feel better knowing I was doing my part. Every month I walked in my payment before the due date, for several years. If I had more to give, they gladly accepted it without adjustments needed to the contract. The arrears do grow, so you are still responsible for the money that adds up, but paying as you can is helpful.


There is more to my story including that I no longer have to pay child support. A few years ago my son was given to me by the Department of Human Services, Child Protection Services and the Child Welfare Division, due to a bad living situation with his mother which is a story I will cover soon in future posts. The closing out of an account requires both parties agreement to end seeking payments and it can take over a year. I chose not to seek child support from my son's mother because I knew she was broke at the time. I understand that many other men never get to see the document I have that closed the case, I am grateful for having my son and that I get to see him enjoy everything I give him, the time spent with him and that i get to ensure he has proper care on a daily basis.