Comments on: What support is owed someone not heard from in 25 years & now says my husband is the father of her 24yr twins?

By: Wilma F

Wilma F — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:11:59 +0000

it depends on the state she lives/lived in w/ the children. some states have a statute of limitations on how far back you can go to get child support.

worse case scenario he will be responsible for 18-21 years of back child support for both kids payable to their mother. Best case scenario, at age 24 the statute of limitations for requesting child support has run out and he owes nothing. (some states will only let you claim 3-5 years of back child support once you make the claim)

if it worries you, talk to a lawyer. If the kids are adults now and mom has no say over who they can and cannot see, so if they insist that he pay them to have a relationship then you’ve just informed that they are only in it for the money.

Good Luck to you, talk to a lawyer, and if you have to, remind your husband that this woman didn’t think it was worth it to contact him to get child support when she had the chance and he should check to see if these kids are really his if it becomes obvious they are only interested in money.
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By: Tricia G

Tricia G — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:01:59 +0000

Contact an attorney. Do your research with your attorney, but don’t bring up the issue with the ex.

If she never pursued it, the ex may be completely uninterested in back child support payments. Why did the ex suddenly let him know that they existed?

I did find something that says that the courts generally do not make someone pay more than 4 years of retroactive child support. Not great, but a lot better than 18 years for 2 children.

http://www.lanwt.org/txaccess/BACKUPCHILDSUPPORT.asp

EDIT: GOOD NEWS!!! If she was married at the time, then her husband is the twins’ legal father, regardless of biology. It’s doubtful that a judge would award retroactive child support 24 years after the fact in a case like this.

To help put things in perspective. Let’s say it is 20 years ago and she divorced her husband. During the divorce proceedings, her husband contested his paternity. It doesn’t matter. Under the law, the husband is the children’s father and he would be required to pay child support.

It’s important that you still contact an attorney and find out your rights and obligations before your husband try to develop a relationship with them. Although if they are coming out of the woodwork 24 years after the fact, I still question the mother’s motives for revealing this and wonder if they are biologically your husband’s.
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By: Common sense isn't anymore..

Common sense isn't anymore.. — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:56:59 +0000

She cannot ask for back support after the kids are over 21. You are fine.
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By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:36:59 +0000

i highly doubt any ‘mother’ can scrounge welfare money for years then think she’s going to hit the jackpot a quarter of a century later,
over my dead body she would get one cent. are you crazy.
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By: Bastet's kitten

Bastet's kitten — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:05:59 +0000

Your husband needs to consult a lawyer as soon as possible because state laws differ, and without legal counsel, he could be hooked into paying money to both states. Logically your husband wouldn’t owe anything at all, but there’s nothing logical about our judicial system.
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By: Amber

Amber — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:18:59 +0000

i don’t think he could be forced to pay anything , he never knew they existed .. check your states law or get a free consultation with an attorney
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By: letterstoheather

letterstoheather — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:58:59 +0000

If the mother kept the twins a secret for 24 years, then he had no knowledge that he was a father during their childhood.

I really do not believe the mother could sue him for child support since they are now adults, and since he didn’t know they existed.

You could talk to a family law attorney, but i believe i’m right in this instance.
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By: Cliff R

Cliff R — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:51:59 +0000

I am not a lawyer and do not to even profess to know the laws regarding this situation, but I do not believe that at this point the mother can get support for the kids as they are now well beyond the need. I would not fear, but to ease your mind you might consult with a lawyer who handles these types of things and get their advice.
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By: mizzhollywood28

mizzhollywood28 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:28:59 +0000

I don’t think they would make him pay it since not only did she not tell him about them, but also, they are adults now.
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By: Allison, the Nice Lady, is back!

Allison, the Nice Lady, is back! — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:59:59 +0000

He needs to talk to a lawyer ASAP.

I don’t know if there is statute of limitations where you live on this. I would think after 25 years its absurd.
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