I just wrote to a lawyer in South Carolina, another one here in Alabama, and even sent a note to Senator Richard C. Shelby.
I’m ready to get this final battle behind me. The battle to clear my name and my debt.
If you’ve been reading this blog long you know I’m soon to start getting Social Security Disability benefits because of my FUBAR spine and other assorted ills. You will also know I’m a proud Papa of three great kids back in South Carolina. Clancy, Kelli, and Jake. The oldest, Clancy, is moving in with Lady Beth and me this summer after her HS graduation so she can go to nursing school and then Pre-Med. (Great, eh?)
If you put 2 and 2 together you find yourself asking: “How could you pay the child support if you haven’t been able to work?“
Answer: I haven’t! No income at all! My child support order is in excess of $175 per week. (See what happens when you go to court without a lawyer?) My Disability, when it starts, will only be $900 per month. Not to mention the past-due child support. *That* is a very scary number indeed.
The last time I saw the Family Court judge in Pickens County South Carolina, Alvin Johnson, he refused to see my medical records showing I’d been unable to work. He sentenced me to a year at hard labor as I stood there with a fresh surgery scar on my spine. I only avoided “The End” because he gave my retired parents the option of paying $1500 to my ex-wife as blood money. I am in hopes that the award letter from a Federal Administrative Law judge in my Social Security Disability case and the 500+ pages of medical evidence will suffice this time. I expect I’ll get lots of email about this calling me a “Dead-Beat Dad” and other vile crap. All I can say is that until my health went south I kept my Child Support paid ahead. Call me what you will, but I hope this never happens to anyone else. The pressure and the guilt drove me to the edge of suicide – something that remains in my arsenal if they were to send me to jail. With my health I’d not survive anyway and there is personal honor to consider.
Another issue is that I can’t get to South Carolina to fight this thing, or even to see my daughter graduate from High School this May. My ability to travel long distance is shot. (We dream of a vacation far away, but unless my back improves greatly it may never happen.) Still, I want to fight this issue down. I also want to pay my fair share towards the rearing of my children. It is only right and just that I do so – but it needs to be a fair amount. Based on what I am receiving as income now. FYI: The kids will all be getting a monthly check as well and the arrears.
So, if any of you Readers happen to be a lawyer or know of helpful sites and such, please contact me! Either via comment here or by email. One way or the other battle must be joined and my name must be cleared. The undeserved-but-still-present shame and pressure of this situation is slowly killing me. During this time you should know that my kids have wanted for nothing thanks to loving Grandparents and that I have sent to my ex-wife every penny I’ve been able to lay a hand on. Even Lady Beth has sent funds to help the kids though she is certainly not legally or morally bound to do so. (Remember, April 22nd is only our 1st Anniversary!) She too deserves to have this settled once and for all.
Omar, out.
