Letter to the Judge, The System Stinks
June of 2005, nearly Four years ago, is when I filed a parentage complaint. All I wanted was simply child support, the amount to be decided by the court, which I thought was my child’s right. Shortly after the papers were filed and forwarded, I received a phone call from the father saying, "NO ILLINOIS COURT OR JUDGE IS GOING TO MAKE ME PAY ANYTHING AND IF YOU CONTINUE WITH THIS, I AM GOING TO DESTROY YOU". I thought to myself, this man must think he is larger than God.
I did exactly what I was supposed to do. I trusted in our legal system and the government agencies that this country has set up to handle these cases.
After paying tens of thousands of dollars to attorneys, "professionals" who specialize in family law; who have attended law school; studied to learn the law, statutes, codes and procedures; I am Financially Destroyed and don't receive a dime in child support.
I don't dare think that Eugene is in any way close to a God, but he sure is one smart man; and was he right with what he said to me? I am still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that he was able to disrespect the court by totally ignoring the court for almost THREE YEARS, after being served notice, documents, requests for discovery, etc. Then after Three Years, he was able to come into the court and dispute the case from the beginning. Now, mind you, I had paid dearly for every step already and because of his actions Three Years Later, I had to PAY AGAIN, a SECOND TIME. Not only that, he managed to have this case put in two courts, the state where I live and the state where he lives. Now, I have had to retain attorneys in both states. So, now for a THIRD TIME I’m paying for this case. Just unbelievable!
All the details of what has transpired with the court and the child support agencies are completely mind-blowing. I shake my head in disbelief each time I think about it. There was not just one mistake, there were several mistakes made, none by me though, I had the “professional” handling everything. The work of the professionals whose reputation precedes them, amount to “White Collar Crime” which is another story all together.
Last month, on the court’s own motion, the judge has vacated his last child support order because of an error he claims he made. When asked by one attorney how he should write the order the judge say’s, “I don’t want it to say the judge made a mistake”. I’m told by the judge I can still get the permanent child support order by starting over! Of course, I would have to pay for a FOURTH TIME! SOMEONE PLEASE, help me to understand this system. But guess what, now after four years my daughter will be emancipated in two months. That means you can’t get child support. Is it even possible to get everything done proper in two months when it could not get done in four years?
Even so, I look at the bright side. I am so blessed with my daughter. She is the best child I could have ever hoped for. She’s beautiful, intelligent, caring and loving. She is headed for a top University in September. How we are going to pay for it now, I have no idea. But for sure, she is headed for a great life.
This whole system has left me confused, frustrated and of little faith. Its okay to forget about me in this, but the best interest of my daughter has not been fulfilled. Her rights have not been protected.
I can only pray for all the other children and their families that have to endure the same stress, turmoil, and utter financial drainage as I have in this process. I hope in the future these “professionals” would truly learn to retain the integrity, work ethic, moral value and best interest of the child because clearly, what has happened here, was not in the best interest of mine.
I CONSIDER THIS A CRIME!
