BigDoug Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 Without going too much into detail, here is my situation in a nutshell. I owe a huge amount of back child support to the State of Alaska, but I have been garnished for $850/month for nearly 6 years now, but the state keeps reporting my debt as more than 180+ days past due and late every month even though they garnish what they want each month. They take $850.00, but they only report my monthly paymnent as $159.00 on my credit file and then to boot they say it is late every month. When I called them on this, I was told that because I owe back child support, they can (and chosose to in my case) report the monthly obligation as late every month. I voiced my disbelief and told them I thought this was extremely wrong, but they didn't seem to care. I want everyone to know that I AM NOT a dead beat dad. I have paid my child support debt for years, and due to fraudulent info provided by my ex-wife, the debt has grown huge. I am not trying to get out of the debt (gave up that ghost years ago). I just want my credit file to reflect that I have been pating my support on time for years. Is there anything that I can do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmackay62 Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 First off I do not think you are a deadbeat. You are just caught up in the system. If you owe an outstanding balance (any past due support / arrears), and that balance is outstanding for more than 180 days, then it is reporting correctly. The best way to look at it is that Child Support is not a revolving or installment account where there is a total outstanding balance, and where you make a minimum monthly installment payment. Once you are past due ANY amount on child support (even $1), then that amount is past due period, regardless of your continued payment schedule or good payment habits. You are basically 180 days behind on your PAST DUE according to the ledger and are playing catch up every month. You need to determine your total OUTSTANDING arrears and pay that amount. You should then be caught up and the montly late notation caused by the arrears will cease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDoug Posted November 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 I wish that was possible, but the amount is too much. I have tried to get the State of Alaska to report more accurately, but they flatly stated that is not going to happen. This is ripping my credit to shreds. Is there anything I can do to "help" my credit short of paying the arrearage off?? Thanks for the repsonse. I am trying to be responsible but at the same time, I need to clean up my credit as much as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmackay62 Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 First off, the arrears are owed to your ex-spouse. The state is only the middleman and is doing the collecting and reporting on behalf of that person. If you can get your ex to agree in writing to erase the arrears, or come to some other arrangement, then the state will update your case to reflect the change. I effectively had the same issue and wiped out $29,000 in arrears in one shot. In my case I cashed out my pension plan and made a lump sum settlement for less than half the amount. About 60 days later it was deleted from all reports.Other than that, the best advice I can offer is to put all of your FACTS in a chronological list - remember, just the facts. Feelings and 'she caused all of this' type comments should be left to discussions with your bartender or shrink.Contact the Director or lead attorney of the organization (Domestic Relations, Child Services, etc. whatever they call it in Alaska) and try to arrange a personal conversation, or meeting if possible and plead your case. They are usually the ONLY persons who can override the 'system'. The lower level people do not have the authority to do so or even to try. If you make a good case, and can show you are trying above and beyond to work within the system, you have a shot. But, make sure you have your facts straight, and don't loose sight of the fact that it is YOU who are asking for a favor, not the other way around. You may or may not be successful. In order to get to the Director, you will have to go through your caseworker, and it will be a long hard road to get there. If you hit a wall, try contacting your State Senator or Representative - a lot of times they will have enough pull to get this accomplished for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDoug Posted November 18, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 Excellent info. I will see what I can make happen and let you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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