Can a mechanism be put in place to force a deadbeat custodial mom to get a job?

I guess I should add her last job earned her 100K,...but she doesn't like that work anymore....

I don't think there's a darn thing the judge can do. If worse comes to worst, she can show up for a job interview, douse her cigar in the boss's coffee cup and ask about the company policy regarding internet porn.

Now, if you can prove she has undeclared income. . . .

In the UK, welfare recipients can have their benefits withdrawn if they seek to avoid work by deliberately failing interviews by acting inappropriately.

Thanks Rog and contrex.

First of all, iIn this economy, it's not unusual for people earning 100K yr. to have lost their job.

But I am confused - CHILD SUPPORT is based on what the father earns, NOT what the mother earns. That is determined by tax forms and pay check stubs of the father.

Are you talking about ALIMONY?

My understanding also is that it's the person paying the child support who has to submit their proof of earnings, usually the father. We often have men coming in asking to work for cash because they want to hide income for this very reason, when we tell them "no" they decline the work because it's on the books.

in many jurisdictions, the only thing that is of interest is the income level of the person paying support NOT the income of the custodial parent

Actually, child support is determined (at least in CA - and should be everywhere) based on the incomes of both parents. His amount is reduced based on how much she makes... They were never married - so no alimony. ****, I can't even imagine how much THAT would be.

It was really weird - sitting in court hearing the particulars of other's cases. The people that went ahead of us had one child to support and the dad was charged $300. per month. Us: 4 times that amount. Of course, I understand the rationale - but you still see the distinct graduations of status in a rather disarming way. The two children may sit beside each other in class... The state says $300. is enough for that child. Anyway, my fiance is happy to pay for the care of his child. We just want her to get off her ass. He's bankrolling her early retirement. We'll see what the judge says about our Request for Change in Order. (We requested she is assigned a caseworker and reports weekly Job Search Contacts.)

Trust me - in this economy, I am very sympathetic to job loss. In this case, the mom was able to save a lot of income for three years - married to a wealthy guy, who paid for everything. She hated her job, quit, and lived off her savings for the past three years. Her money was running out - so she went to court to get child support. Before this, since the child's birth, they have each paid half of all the child's expenses. She doesn't want to work, so she operates a ditzy New Age healing nuthouse out of her home. Her website claims that she is clairvoyant... Obviously untrue - because if she knew what I was thinking, she'd get in a witness protection program. Fruity freak show.

Interested. Have no advice, but what you are doing seems like a very good idea.

My family member's child support went to pay for drugs.. (long story).

It is really distressing to see how children are used for cash. Well, I'm holding out hope that this situation will alter in a fairer direction soon. Sounds really sad, osso.

It was, very destructive, but it was a long time ago now.